Nonparametric Kernel Distribution Function Estimation with kerdiest: An R Package for Bandwidth Choice and Applications

The R package kerdiest has been designed for computing kernel estimators of the distribution function and other related functions. Because of its usefulness in real applications, the bandwidth parameter selection problem has been considered, and a cross-validation method and two of plug-in type have been implemented. Moreover, three relevant functions in nature hazards have also been programmed. The package is completed with two interesting data sets, one of geological type (a complete catalogue of the earthquakes occurring in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula) and another containing the maximum peak flow levels of a river in the United States of America

Estimación no paramétrica de la función de riesgo: aplicaciones a sismología

Se estudia la estimación de tipo no paramétrico de la función de riesgo o razón de fallo de una variable aleatoria real. A partir de una muestra X1, X2, ..., Xn de datos no censurados y no necesariamente independientes, se considera un estimador cociente entre el estimador núcleo de la función de densidad y un estimador núcleo de la función de supervivencia, sobre el que se estudia el problema de selección del parámetro ventana. Por medio de un estudio de simulación se observa la ventaja de utilizar este estimador frente al que estima la función de supervivencia a través de la función de distribución empírica. Finalmente, se realiza una aplicación práctica a datos de terremotos sucedidos en California y en Granada

Psychosocial and psychological factors are not related to low back pain in office-workers who develop pain during standing-paradigm: preliminary study

Poster[Abstract] Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common and disabling musculoskeletal disorder in the working population. Laboratory studies have indicated that prolonged standing is associated with LBP with the focus to date on understanding the biomechanical source of this pain. An induced-pain protocol (standing-paradigm) has been used to examine psychological factors in back-healthy people in previous studies, but none have examined the association with psychosocial factors in office workers. Purpose: To examine: 1) the relationship between group status (those who did and did not develop LBP during standing) and workplace psychosocial factors (Job Content Questionnaire, Job Satisfaction), and individual psychological factors (Pain Catastrophizing Scale, Mental Component Summary of SF-12); and 2) the relationship between intensity of LBP during standing and workplace psychosocial and individual psychological factors. Methods: A cross-sectional laboratory-based study was conducted. A convenience sample of 32 office-workers, who perform more than 30 hours per week mostly sitting at a computer were recruited. Participants completed their own work and rated their LBP intensity every 15 minutes during the one-hour standing-paradigm. The primary outcomes were: a) group status based on change in LBP score (measured on a 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS); and b) change in LBP intensity during the standing-paradigm. Secondary outcome measures completed prior to the one-hour standing task were: four dimensions of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ); one question on Job Satisfaction; 3 dimensions of Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) and PCS-total score; Mental Component Summary (MCS) of SF12. Demographic, anthropometric, physical activity levels (International Physical Activity Questionnaire), and previous episode of LBP (lifetime and last month) data was collected. Data analysis included independent group t-test (continuous variables) and Chi Square (categorical variables) to test for differences between PDs and NPDs at baseline. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated for VAS and the scores on JCQ, Satisfaction Job, PCS and MCS. Logistic regression was performed to identify which factors were associated with group membership (PDs or NPDs) with JCQ, PCS and MCS as independent variables controlling for age, sex, BMI and history of LBP. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: There were 14 (43.8%) PDs. The mean maximum LBP reported by PDs was 26 mm (range 4 to 59 mm). There were no significant differences at baseline for age, BMI, and physical activity levels between the PDs vs NPDs and nor any significant differences between the groups for any workplace psychosocial or psychological measures. Correlations between VAS and each psychosocial and psychological measures were small and not significant. Regression modelling showed that sex (p=0.01), lifetime episode of LBP (p=0.04) and LBP-last month (p≤0.01) predicted PD status. Conclusion(s): These results suggest that in office-workers baseline psychosocial and psychological status do not differentiate who will develop LBP during standing. LBP intensity was not related to workplace psychosocial nor individual psychological status. Only sex and previous history of LBP identified those who developed LBP during the standing-paradigm

Welfare and sectoral productivity shifts in a small open economy with imported agricultural inputs : the case of Sub‑Saharan Africa

This paper studies the impact of sectoral productivity growth on welfare in Sub- Saharan Africa. Using the analytical framework of a DSGE model, the main finding is that, for the estimated values of structural parameters, the allocation of scarce resources to the tradable agricultural sector for boosting productivity leads to a greater increase in overall welfare than would be the case if they were allocated to the non-traded goods sector.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

What Psychosocial and Physical Characteristics Differentiate Offce Workers Who Develop Standing-Induced Low Back Pain? A Cross-Sectional Study

[Abstract] This study examines demographic, physical and psychosocial factors associated with an increase in low back pain (LBP) during a one-hour standing task. A cross-sectional survey with 40 o ce workers was conducted. The primary outcome was pain severity during a one-hour standing task recorded every 15 min using a 100 mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Participants were defined as pain developers (PD), if they reported a change in pain of 10 mm from baseline, or non-pain developers (NPD). Physical outcomes included participant-rated and examiner-rated trunk and hip motor control and endurance. Self-report history of LBP, physical activity, psychosocial job characteristics, general health and pain catastrophising were collected. Fourteen participants were PD. Hip abduction, abdominal and spinal muscle endurance was lower for PD (p 0.05). PD had greater self-reported di culty performing active hip abduction and active straight leg raise tests (p 0.04). Those reporting a lifetime, 12 month or 7-day history of LBP (p < 0.05) and lower self-reported physical function (p = 0.01) were more likely to develop LBP during the standing task. In conclusion, a history of LBP, reduced trunk and hip muscle endurance and deficits in lumbopelvic/hip motor control may be important to consider in o ce workers experiencing standing-induced LBP

Satisfacción e impacto en el aprendizaje de diferentes metodologías aplicadas durante el confinamiento para una materia del Grado de Fisioterapia

[Resumen] Se analiza el nivel de satisfacción y de contribución en la adquisición de competencias de diferentes metodologías docentes y recursos de atención personalizada incorporadas durante el curso 2019-20 entre los estudiantes de una materia del Grado de Fisioterapia de la UDC con motivo del estado de alarma por el COVID-19, que obligó a la suspensión de la docencia presencial y a su transformación en docencia online. Las clases magistrales y las prácticas de laboratorio se sustituyeron por videolecciones, apuntes y un portafolio. La atención personalizada se realizó a través del chat, tutorías grupales y correo electrónico. Se utilizó una escala Likert para medir satisfacción y una escala numérica de 0 a 10 para medir el impacto en el aprendizaje. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes valoran positivamente todos los recursos, siendo mayoritaria la respuesta de muy satisfecho/a; y con una puntuación superior a 7 el nivel percibido en la adquisición de competencias en prácticamente todos los recursos. Los apuntes son la metodología con la que muestran mayor satisfacción y la que consideran más útil de cara al aprendizaje. Tras comprobar el efecto de la variable sexo, para algunos de los recursos aplicados, existen diferencias entre hombres y mujeres.[Abstract] The level of satisfaction and contribution in the acquisition of competencies of different teaching methodologies and personalized attention resources incorporated during the 2019-20 academic year among students of a subject of the Degree in Physiotherapy at the UDC is analyzed. The state of alarm for COVID-19, forced the suspension of face-to-face teaching and its transformation into online teaching. Lectures and laboratory practices were replaced by video lessons, notes and a portfolio. The personalized attention was carried out through chat, group tutorials and email. A Likert scale was used to measure satisfaction and a numerical scale from 0 to 10 to measure the impact on learning. The results indicate that the students value all the resources positively, the majority being very satisfied; and the level perceived as facilitators of the acquisition of competences was higher than 7 for each resource. Notes are the methodology with which the students show the greatest satisfaction and the one they consider most useful for learning. After checking the effect of the sex variable, for some of the resources applied, there are differences between men and women.http://hdl.handle.net/2183/2879

Thirty Minutes Identified as the Threshold for Development of Pain in Low Back and Feet Regions, and Predictors of Intensity of Pain during 1-h Laboratory-Based Standing in Office Workers

[Abstract] This study with 40 office workers investigated (a) the effect of time spent standing on low- back and lower limb pain during a 1-h laboratory-based task; (b) the standing time after which a significant increase in pain is likely; and (c) the individual, physical and psychosocial factors that predict pain. The primary outcome was bodily location of pain and pain intensity on a 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale recorded at baseline and every 15 min. Physical measures included trunk and hip motor control and endurance. Self-report history of pain, physical activity, psychosocial job characteristics, pain catastrophizing and general health status were collected. Univariate analysis and regression models were included. The prevalence of low-back pain increased from 15% to 40% after 30 min while feet pain increased to 25% from 0 at baseline. The intensity of low-back and lower limb pain also increased over time. A thirty-minute interval was identified as the threshold for the development and increase in low-back and feet pain. Modifiable factors were associated with low-back pain intensity—lower hip abductor muscle endurance and poorer physical health, and with feet symptoms—greater body mass index and less core stability

Evolution of the Thematic Structure and Main Producers of Physical Therapy Interventions Research: A Bibliometric Analysis (1986 to 2017)

Financiado para publicación en acceso aberto: Universidade da Coruña/CISUG[Abstract] Background: Bibliometric studies are used to analyse and map scientific areas, and study the scientific output and impact of institutes and countries. Objectives: Describe the thematic structure and evolution of the field of physical therapy interventions using articles indexed in Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro). Also, identify and compare the main producers (countries, institutions) over time (research output, citation impact). Methods: Eligible articles were those indexed in PEDro (1986-2017) and matched to Web of Science. VOSviewer software, bibliometric text mining, and visualisation techniques were used to evaluate the thematic structure of the included articles. We collected data about authors' country and institutional affiliation, and calculated bibliometric indicators (production, citation impact). Results: A total of 29 090 articles were analysed. Eight topics were identified: "neurological rehabilitation"; "methods"; "exercise for prevention and rehabilitation of lifestyle diseases"; "assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal pain"; "physical activity", "health promotion and behaviour change"; "respiratory physical therapy"; "hospital, primary care and health economics"; "cancer and complementary therapies". The most productive countries were United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. The most impactful countries were United States, France, Finland, and Canada. The most productive institutions were University of Sydney, VU University of Amsterdam, University of Queensland, and University of Toronto. Conclusions: The thematic structure of physical therapy interventions has evolved over time with "neurological rehabilitation", "methods", "exercise related to lifestyle diseases", and "physical activity" becoming increasingly important. Main producers of this research were traditionally located in North America and Europe but now include countries like China and Brazil.The research stay at the University of Sydney -where this work was designed- was partially funded by the Predoctoral Research Grant 2019 of the Colexio Oficial de Fisioterapeutas de Galicia, Galicia, Spain. Funding for open access charge: Universidade da Coruña/CISU

Adaptations of the Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) for 2- and 3-year-old preterm and term-born toddlers: a preliminary study

[Abstract] Introduction: Topographical memory is crucial for navigation and environmental representation. The Walking Corsi Test (WalCT) has been used to evaluate topographical memory in children from 4 years upward. The present study aims to determine whether adapted versions of the WalCT- by simplifying instructions and increasing motivation- can be adopted to test topographical memory in 2- and 3-year-old toddlers born at term and preterm. Assessing this skill in such young children is important in light of recent studies that have shown how spatial cognition underlies the development of skills in other cognitive domains as well. Methods: For this purpose, 47 toddlers (27.39 ± 4.34 months, 38.3% females), 20 born at term and 27 preterm, performed two aimed-designed versions of WalCT. Results: The results showed better performance of the term groups with increasing age and for both versions. On the other hand, performance was better in 2-year-old term toddlers vs. preterm. When rising motivation, 2-year-old preterm toddlers improve their performance but differences between both groups were still significant. The preterm group showed lower performance related to lower levels of attention. Discussion: This study provides preliminary data on the suitability of the adapted versions of WalCT in early ages and prematurity conditions.Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (España); PID2021-126782OA-I0

Bayesian methods in the field of rehabilitation

Brief report[Abstract] Bayesian techniques, as an alternative method of statistical analysis in rehabilitation studies, have some advantages such as handling small sample sizes, allowing incorporation of previous experience of the researchers or clinicians, being suitable for different kinds of studies, and managing highly complex models. These characteristics are important in rehabilitation research. In the present article, the Bayesian approach is displayed through three examples in previously analyzed data with traditional or frequentist methods. The studies used as examples have small sample sizes and show that the Bayesian procedures enhance the statistical information of the results. The Bayesian credibility interval includes the true value of the corresponding parameter diminishing uncertainty about the treatment effect. In addition, the Bayes factor value quantifies the evidence provided by the data in favor of the alternative hypothesis as opposed to the null hypothesis. Bayesian inference could be an interesting and adaptable alternative statistical method for physical medicine and rehabilitation applications