910 research outputs found
Application of Robot Programming to the Teaching of Object-Oriented Computer Languages
Object-oriented programming (OOP) abstract concepts are often difficult to understand for students, since it is not easy to
find the equivalence of such concepts in daily life. In this paper we will study if an interdisciplinary approach based on an
introduction to robotics and robot programming helps the student in acquiring theOOPconcepts. For our experiments, we
selected a sample of thirty individuals among students with an adequate knowledge of procedural programming. This
sample was divided into two groups of fifteen students each: for the first one we used a standard introductory approach to
C#, whereas for the second one we developed an experimental course that included a demonstration program that
illustrated OOP basic concepts using the features of a specific type of commercial ball-shaped robot with sensing, wireless
communication and output capabilities. After the courses, both groups were evaluated by completing a multiple-choice
exam and aC#programming exercise. Our results show that the student group that attended the course including the robot
demo showed a higher interest level (i.e. they felt more motivated) than those students that attended the standard
introductory C# course. Furthermore, the students from the experimental group also achieved an overall better mark
On First Passage Times in Discrete Skeletons and Uniformized Versions of a Continuous-Time Markov Chain
In this paper, the aim is to study similarities and differences between a continuous-time Markov chain and its uniformized Markov chains and discrete skeletons in terms of first passage times when the taboo subset of states is assumed to be accessible from a class of communicating states. Under the assumption of a finite communicating class, we characterize the first-passage times in terms of either continuous or discrete phase-type random variables. For illustrative purposes, we show how first passage times in uniformized Markov chains and discrete skeletons can be used to approximate the random duration of an outbreak in the SIS epidemic model
Role of TRAILR1 and TNFR1A polymorphisms in the susceptibility and pharmacogenetics of rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis patients treated with infliximab
Comparison of an exercise program with and without manual therapy for patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical rotation restriction. Randomized controlled trial
Background: Cervical exercise has been shown to be an effective treatment for neck pain, but there is still a need for more clinical trials evaluating the effectiveness of adding manual therapy to the exercise approach. There is a lack of evidence on the effect of these techniques in patients with neck pain and upper cervical rotation restriction. Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of adding manual therapy to a cervical exercise protocol for the treatment of patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical rotation restriction. Methods: Single-blind randomized clinical trial. Fifty-eight subjects: 29 for the Manual Therapy+Exercise (MT+Exercise) Group and 29 for the Exercise group. Neck disability index, pain intensity (0-10), pressure pain threshold (kPa), flexion-rotation test (°), and cervical range of motion (°) were measured at the beginning and at the end of the intervention, and at 3-and 6-month follow-ups. The MT+Exercise Group received one 20-min session of manual therapy and exercise once a week for 4 weeks and home exercise. The Exercise Group received one 20-min session of exercise once a week for 4 weeks and home exercise. Results: The MT+Exercise Group showed significant better values post-intervention in all variables: neck disability index: 0% patient with moderate, severe, or complete disability compared to 31% in the Exercise Group (p = 0.000) at 6-months; flexion-rotation test (p = 0.000) and pain intensity (p = 0.000) from the first follow-up to the end of the study; cervical flexion (p = 0.002), extension (p = 0.002), right lateral-flexion (p = 0.000), left lateral-flexion (p = 0.001), right rotation (p = 0.000) and left rotation (p = 0.005) at 6-months of the study, except for flexion, with significative changes from 3-months of follow up; pressure pain threshold from the first follow-up to the end of the study (p values range: 0.003-0.000). Conclusion: Four 20-min sessions of manual therapy and exercise, along with a home-exercise program, was found to be more effective than an exercise protocol and a home-exercise program in improving the neck disability index, flexion-rotation test, pain intensity, and pressure pain threshold, in the short, medium, and medium-long term in patients with chronic neck pain and upper rotation restriction. Cervical range of motion improved with the addition of manual therapy in the medium and medium-long term. The high dropout rate may have compromised the external validity of the study. Copyright © 2021 RodrĂguez-Sanz et al
Does the addition of manual therapy approach to a cervical exercise program improve clinical outcomes for patients with chronic neck pain in short-and mid-term? A randomized controlled trial
Chronic neck pain is one of today’s most prevalent pathologies. The International Classification of Diseases categorizes four subgroups based on patients’ associated symptoms. However, this classification does not encompass upper cervical spine dysfunction. The aim is to compare the short-and mid-term effectiveness of adding a manual therapy approach to a cervical exercise protocol in patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical spine dysfunction. Fifty-eight subjects with chronic neck pain and upper cervical spine dysfunction were recruited (29 = Manual therapy + Exercise; 29 = Exercise). Each group received four 20-min sessions, one per week during four consecutive weeks, and a home exercise regime. Upper flexion and flexion-rotation test range of motion, neck disability index, craniocervical flexion test, visual analogue scale, pressure pain threshold, global rating of change scale, and adherence to self-treatment were assessed at the beginning, end of the intervention and at 3-and 6-month follow-ups. The Manual therapy + Exercise group statistically improved short-and medium-term in all variables compared to the Exercise group. Four 20-min sessions of Manual therapy + Exercise along with a home-exercise program is more effective in the short-to mid-term than an exercise protocol and a home-exercise program for patients with chronic neck pain and upper cervical dysfunction
Evidence for a black-hole in the X-ray transient XTE J1859+226
We present the results of time-resolved optical photometry and spectroscopy
of the X-ray transient XTE J1859+226 (V406 Vul). Photometric observations taken
during 2000 and 2008 reveals the presence of the secondary star's ellipsoidal
modulation. Further photometry obtained in 2010 shows the system ~1 mag
brighter than its quiescence level and the ellipsoidal modulation diluted by
strong flaring activity. Spectroscopic data obtained with the 10.4-m GTC in
2010 reveals radial velocity variations of ~500 km/s over 3 h. A simultaneous
fit to the photometry and spectroscopy using sinusoids to represent the
secondary star's ellipsoidal and radial velocity variations, yields an orbital
period of 6.58+-0.05 h and a secondary star's radial velocity semi-amplitude of
K_2= 541+-70 km/s. The implied mass function is f(M)=4.5+-0.6 Msun,
significantly lower than previously reported but consistent with the presence
of a black hole in XTE J1859+226. The lack of eclipses sets an upper limit to
the inclination of 70 degrees which yields a lower limit to the black hole mass
of 5.42 Msun.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS. Contains 5 pages and 4 figure
Effects of the manual therapy approach of segments C0-1 and C2-3 in the flexion-rotation test in patients with chronic neck pain: A randomized controlled trial
Background: Flexion-rotation test predominantly measures rotation in C1-2 segment. Restriction in flexion-rotation may be due to direct limitation in C1-2, but also to a premature tightening of the alar ligament as a result of lack of movement in C0-1 or C2-3. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a 20-min single cervical exercise session, with or without manual therapy of C0-1 and C2-3 segment in flexion-rotation test, in patients with chronic neck pain and positive flexion-rotation test. Methods: Randomized controlled clinical trial in 48 subjects (24 manual therapy+ exercise/24 exercise). Range of motion and pain during flexion-rotation test, neck pain intensity and active cervical range of motion were measured before and after the intervention. Results: Significant differences were found in favour of the manual therapy group in the flexion-rotation test: right (p < 0.001) and left rotation (p < 0.001); pain during the flexion-rotation test: right (p < 0.001) and left rotation (p < 0.001); neck pain intensity: (p < 0.001); cervical flexion (p < 0.038), extension (p < 0.010), right side-bending (p < 0.035), left side-bending (p < 0.002), right rotation (p < 0.001), and left rotation (p < 0.006). Conclusions: Addition of one C0-C1 and C2-C3 manual therapy session to cervical exercise can immediately improve flexion-rotation test and cervical range of motion and reduce pain intensity
Is Cervical Stabilization Exercise Immediately Effective in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain and Upper Cervical Spine Dysfunction? Randomized Controlled Trial
Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of a single exercise session with manual therapy techniques in the segments of the upper cervical spine (C0–1, C1–2 and C2–3), against a single exercise session in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine. Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial was performed. Fifty-eight patients were recruited (29 for the manual therapy and exercise group and 29 for the exercise group) who presented chronic neck pain and upper cervical spine dysfunction. The exercise focused on the deep muscles. The manual therapy combined manipulations and mobilizations with these exercises. Cervical range of motion, flexion-rotation test, pressure pain threshold and pain intensity were measured by a blind evaluator before and after the intervention. Results: Compared to pre-intervention, after intervention, the exercise group was significantly lower in terms of the range of motion, flexion-rotation test, and pressure pain threshold (p < 0.05). The manual therapy and exercise group improved in upper cervical flexion, the flexion-rotation test and intensity of pain (p < 0.05). Conclusions: It may be necessary to normalize the mobility of the upper cervical spine before cervical stabilization training, in patients with chronic neck pain and mobility deficits in the upper cervical spine
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