EQUILIBRIUM OF CHILDREN PRACTISING JUDO

INTRODUCTION Human body equilibrium is the index of one's health, physical development, fitness and athletic mastery level. Coordinational abilities of children aged 4-5 in maintaining statodynamic stability have been studied when solving equilibrium motor tasks ( P. Perrin, 1989; V. N. Boloban, 1990; K. Bretz, R. J. Kaske, 1994; A.U. Kholtobina, 1994, et al.) . METHODOLOGY Measurements have been made by means of ADAMtype equipment complex (Software: lngchicurbüro - Dr. K.Bretz, 1992). Different methods of solving equilibrium motor tasks by children have been determined. Their stabilograms consist of such individual parameters as: amplitude, frequency of vibration, duration of test task performance, special location in time function (on isoline, above or below it ) , and in “stabilograph-subject” coordinate system. RESULTS Spectral Fourier-analysis of stabilograms demonstrates that body stability is generally determined by vibrations having the frequencies 0.5-1.5 Hz. In the frequencies above 2-3 Hz, children subjects do not yet possess voluntary motions to regulate body postures. Coordination indices of children's body orthograde position demonstrate necessity of special training to provide body equilibrium. Developed didactical means, methods and control elements provide efficient formation of statodynamic stability skill. Stabilogram indices allow to determine coordinational abilities in children and forecast development of their voluntary motions in the structure of professional orientation

Fabrication and assessment of a bio-inspired synthetic tracheal tissue model for tracheal tube cuff leakage testing

Introduction: Leakage of orogastric secretions past the cuff of a tracheal tube is a contributory factor in ventilator-associated pneumonia. Current bench test methods specified in the International Standard for Anaesthetic and Respiratory Equipment (EN ISO 5361:2023) to test cuff leakage involve using a glass or plastic rigid cylinder model of the trachea. There is a need for more realistic models to inform cuff leakage. Methods: We used human computerised tomography data and additive manufacturing (3D printing), combined with casting techniques to fabricate a bio-inspired synthetic tracheal model with analogous tissue characteristics. We conducted cuff leakage tests according to EN ISO 5361:2023 and compared results for high-volume low-pressure polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane cuffs between the rigid cylinder trachea with our bio-inspired model. Results: The tracheal model demonstrated close agreement with published tracheal tissue hardness for cartilaginous and membranous soft tissues. For high-volume low-pressure polyvinyl chloride cuffs the leakage rate was >50% lower in the bio-inspired tracheal model compared with the rigid cylinder model (151 [8] vs 261 [11] ml h−1). For high-volume low-pressure polyurethane cuffs, much lower leakage rates were observed than polyvinyl chloride cuffs in both models with leakage rates higher for the bio-inspired trachea model (0.1 [0.2] vs 0 [0] ml h−1). Conclusion: A reproducible tracheal model that incorporates the mechanical properties of the human trachea can be manufactured from segmented CT images and additive manufactured moulds, providing a useful tool to inform future cuff development, leakage testing for industrial applications, and clinical decision-making. There are differences between cuff leakage rates between the bio-inspired model and the rigid cylinder recommended in EN ISO 5361:2023. The bio-inspired model could lead to more accurate and realistic cuff leakage rate testing which would support manufacturers in refining their designs. Clinicians would then be able to choose better tracheal tubes based on the outcomes of this testing

Estimation of biomass and volume of shrub vegetation using LiDAR and spectral data in a Mediterranean environment

Several studies have addressed the biomass and volume of trees using Airborne Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. However, little research has been conducted into shrub vegetation, which covers a high percentage of Mediterranean forest. We used LiDAR data and an airborne image to estimate biomass and volume of shrub vegetation. Field data were collected in 29 square plots of 100 m2. In each plot, the percentage of the surface covered was measured in the field. Shrub vegetation inside 3 stands for each plot was clear cut to calculate the biomass and volume of the 29 plots. To find the best fit between LiDARspectral data and field measurements, stepwise regressions were performed using previously selected variables. The highest accuracy was found when variables derived from LiDAR data and the airborne image were combined (R2 values of 0.78 and 0.84 for biomass and volume, respectively). Biomass and volume were predicted using variables from height metrics of LiDAR data (median and standard deviation); density metrics (percentage of points whose height was between 0.50 m and 0.75 m, 0.75 me1 m, and higher than 1 m); and spectral data (standard deviation of green band, mean of the vegetation index NDVI). These results revealed the potential of LiDAR and spectral data to characterize shrub structure and make it possible to estimate and map the biomass and volume of this vegetation.Estornell Cremades, J.; Ruiz Fernández, LÁ.; Velázquez Martí, B.; Hermosilla, T. (2012). Estimation of biomass and volume of shrub vegetation using LiDAR and spectral data in a Mediterranean environment. Biomass and Bioenergy. 46:710-721. doi:10.1016/j.biombioe.2012.06.023S7107214