Intelligent Sitting Posture Classifier for Wheelchair Users

In recent years, there has been growing interest in postural monitoring while seated, thus preventing the appearance of ulcers and musculoskeletal problems in the long term. To date, postural control has been carried out by means of subjective questionnaires that do not provide continuous and quantitative information. For this reason, it is necessary to carry out a monitoring that allows to determine not only the postural status of wheelchair users, but also to infer the evolution or anomalies associated with a specific disease. Therefore, this paper proposes an intelligent classifier based on a multilayer neural network for the classification of sitting postures of wheelchair users. The posture database was generated based on data collected by a novel monitoring device composed of force resistive sensors. A training and hyperparameter selection methodology has been used based on the idea of using a stratified K-Fold in weight groups strategy. This allows the neural network to acquire a greater capacity for generalization, thus allowing, unlike other proposed models, to achieve higher success rates not only in familiar subjects but also in subjects with physical complexions outside the standard. In this way, the system can be used to support wheelchair users and healthcare professionals, helping them to automatically monitor their posture, regardless physical complexions.This work was supported in part by the Ministry of Science and Innovation-StateResearch Agency/Project funded by MCIN/State Research Agency(AEI)/10.13039/501100011033 under Grant PID2020-112667RB-I00,in part by the Basque Government under Grant IT1726-22, and in part by the Predoctoral Contracts of the Basque Government under Grant PRE-2021-1-0001 and Grant PRE-2021-1-021

A search for evidence of irradiation in Centaurus X-4 during quiescence

We present a study of the neutron star X-Ray Transient Cen X-4. Our aim is to look for any evidence of irradiation of the companion with a detailed analysis of its radial velocity curve, relative contribution of the donor star and Doppler tomography of the main emission lines. To improve our study all our data are compared with a set of simulations that consider different physical parameters of the system, like the disc aperture angle and the mass ratio. We conclude that neither the radial velocity curve nor the orbital variation of the relative donor's contribution to the total flux are affected by irradiation. On the other hand, we do see emission from the donor star at H${\alpha}$ and HeI 5876 which we tentatively attribute to irradiation effects. In particular, the H${\alpha}$ emission from the companion is clearly asymmetric and we suggest is produced by irradiation from the hot-spot. Finally, from the velocity of the HeI 5876 spot we constrain the disc opening angle to alpha=7-14 deg.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in A&A as a R

Regional Hypertrophy: The Effect of Exercises at Long and Short Muscle Lengths in Recreationally Trained Women

The aim of the present study was to analyse the role of exercises' resistance profile in regional hypertrophy. Thirty-eight healthy women completed a 9-week resistance training program consisting of either 4 sets of 12 repetitions to volitional failure of inclined bicep curls (INC group) or preacher curls (PREA group), three times per week. Pre- and post-intervention muscle thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound imaging with a linear-array transducer. Scan acquisition sites were determined by measuring 50%, 60% and 70% of the distance between the posterior crest of the acromion and the olecranon. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. No region of the INC group grew when comparing pre- to post-intervention. The 70% region of the PREA group grew significantly (muscle thickness increased from 2.7 ± 0.43 cm to 2.94 ± 0.44 cm). We found no growth differences between regions when analysing per group (p = 0.274), region (p = 0.571) or group*region (p = 0.367). Our results show that the distal region of the arm grows in response to the preacher curl that places the highest amount of strain in the range of motion in which the arm muscles are more elongated

A preliminary analysis of gait performance of patients with multiple sclerosis using a sensorized crutch tip

The quality of life and functional mobility of patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) can significantly improve with exercise and a rehabilitation therapy adjusted to the needs of each patient. The assessment of gait and functional mobility of patients with MS is usually done based on clinical scales and tests, which have various limitations. This work presents the preliminary results of a clinical study carried out with patients with MS walking with a sensorized crutch tip. This tip allows to define new indicators that can be correlated with the clinical assessment scales and provide further objective and quantitative information to assess gait performance and level of impairment of patients with MS, and characterize their gait patterns. The results suggest that parameters such as the average cycle time and the average percentage of body weight might be useful to evaluate the gait performance and level of disability. Moreover, parameters related with the pitch angle of the crutch allow to determine crutch usage patterns and spot differences between patients with similar functional performance.This work was supported by the Government of the Basque Country (grant PRE-2018-2-210), by the University of the Basque Country (project GIU19/45), by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion (MCI) under grant number DPI2017-82694-R (AEI/FEDER, UE), by Fundacion Euskampus and Fundacion BB

Effect of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance in adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disabilities: A comparative study

Background Adults with intellectual disabilities often experience mobility limitations. Baduanjin, a mindfulness-based exercise intervention, can exert positive effects on functional mobility and balance. This study examined the impact of Baduanjin on physical functioning and balance of adults with intellectual disabilities. Method Twenty-nine adults with intellectual disabilities participated in the study. Eighteen received a Baduanjin intervention for 9-months; 11 participants did not receive any intervention (comparison group). Physical functioning and balance were assessed using the short physical performance battery (SPPB) and stabilometry. Results Participants in the Baduanjin group experienced significant changes in the SPPB walking test (p = .042), chair stand test (p = .015), and SPPB summary score (p = .010). No significant changes between groups were observed in any of the variables assessed at the end of the intervention. Conclusions Baduanjin practice may cause significant, albeit small, improvements in physical functioning of adults with intellectual disabilities.The authors would like to acknowledge the staff and participants from Lantegi Batuak for their assistance and willingness to be part of the study. This study was facilitated by an agreement between the regional Government Diputación Foral de Bizkaia/Bizkaiko Foru Aldundia (Departamento de Acción Social/Gizarte Ekintza Saila) and Lantegi Batuak

Dribble Deficit enables measurement of dribbling speed independent of sprinting speed in collegiate, male, basketball players

Ramirez-Campillo, R, Gentil, P, Moran, J, Dalbo, VJ, and Scanlan, AT. Dribble Deficit enables measurement of dribbling speed independent of sprinting speed in collegiate, male, basketball players. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2019-The aim of this study was to determine the relationships between sprinting and dribbling speed in basketball during linear and change-of-direction (COD) sprints using total dribbling time and Dribble Deficit. Collegiate, male, basketball players (n = 10; 21.0 ± 1.6 years) performed linear and COD sprints with and without dribbling a ball. Linear dribbling sprints were measured for the dominant and nondominant hands, whereas COD dribbling sprints involved bilateral use of hands. Dribble Deficit was determined as the difference between total time (second) during each dribbling trial and the equivalent nondribbling trial for linear and COD sprints. Simple linear regression analyses were performed during linear and COD sprints to determine the relationship (R) and shared variance (R) between (a) sprinting times and total dribbling times and (b) sprinting times and Dribble Deficit. Large to very large, significant relationships were evident between linear sprinting and dribbling time for dominant (R = 0.86; R = 0.74, p = 0.001) and nondominant hands (R = 0.80; R = 0.65, p = 0.005). Trivial relationships were apparent between linear sprinting time and Dribble Deficit with dominant (R = 0.10; R = 0.01, p = 0.778) and nondominant hands (R = 0.03; R = 0.00, p = 0.940). A very large relationship was evident between COD sprinting and dribbling time (R = 0.91; R = 0.82, p < 0.001), whereas a trivial relationship was observed between COD sprinting time and COD Dribble Deficit (R = -0.23; R = 0.05, p = 0.530). Dribble Deficit eliminates the strong influence of sprinting speed on outcome measures typically seen when using tests predicated on total dribbling time. Consequently, Dribble Deficit may be of added use in basketball test batteries to measure dribbling speed across linear and multidirectional movement paths

Aplicación de modelos geoestadísticos para definir la variabilidad de un perfil del suelo

El análisis geoestadisticos es utilizado para visualizar y graficar la distribución espacial de varias propiedades del suelo. En este contexto, los objetivos fueron: Describir varias propiedades fisicoquímicas del suelo de dos perfiles en una finca bananera; para luego estimar el mejor método de interpolación, y mediante gráficas interpretar la variabilidad espacial. Se construyó dos calicatas de 2,50 m de ancho por 0,70 m de profundidad ubicadas diagonal a una planta de banano a distancia de 40 cm. En cada perfil se colocó una malla de 2 m de largo por 0.6 m de ancho con cuadrículas de 20× 20 cm, de donde se tomó muestras para análisis de suelo. El análisis geoestadístico se realizó en ArcGis versión 10.3. Para mostrar la distribución de los datos del perfil, se utilizó el método de interpolación kriging. Los modelos de semivariograma de tipo empíricos usados fueron: lineal, esférico, circular y gaussiano. Se identificó áreas con diferente variabilidad en su dirección concentración de datos en función de la distancia. El modelo de interpolación esférico fue más preciso. Los mapas mantuvieron la continuidad de los valores en profundidad, aspecto que permitió caracterizar los dos perfiles de suelo, al ser comprado con la estadística descriptiva. Palabras clave: Sistema de información geográfico, Krigrien, semivariograma, error cuadrático medio.   ABSTRACT Geostatistical analysis is used to visualize and graph the spatial distribution of various soil properties. In this context, the objectives were: to describe several physicochemical properties of the soil of two profiles in a banana farm; then to estimate the best interpolation method, and through graphs to interpret the spatial variability. Two 2.50 m wide by 0.70 m deep pits were constructed diagonally to a banana plant at a distance of 40 cm. A 2 m long by 0.6 m wide mesh with 20 x 20 cm squares was placed in each profile, from which samples were taken for soil analysis. The geostatistical analysis was performed in ArcGis version 10.3. To show the distribution of the profile data, the kriging interpolation method was used. The empirical semivariogram models used were: linear, spherical, circular and Gaussian. Areas with different variability in their direction and data concentration as a function of distance were identified. The spherical interpolation model was more accurate. The maps maintained continuity of the values in depth, an aspect that allowed the characterization of the two soil profiles, when bought with the descriptive statistics. Keywords: Geographic information system, Krigrien, semivariogram, mean square error

Un sistema de tele-rehabilitación para personas mayores basado en Kinect

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Is There Such a Thing as a Genuine Cancer Stem Cell Marker? Perspectives from the Gut, the Brain and the Dental Pulp

The conversion of healthy stem cells into cancer stem cells (CSCs) is believed to underlie tumor relapse after surgical removal and fuel tumor growth and invasiveness. CSCs often arise from the malignant transformation of resident multipotent stem cells, which are present in most human tissues. Some organs, such as the gut and the brain, can give rise to very aggressive types of cancers, contrary to the dental pulp, which is a tissue with a very remarkable resistance to oncogenesis. In this review, we focus on the similarities and differences between gut, brain and dental pulp stem cells and their related CSCs, placing a particular emphasis on both their shared and distinctive cell markers, including the expression of pluripotency core factors. We discuss some of their similarities and differences with regard to oncogenic signaling, telomerase activity and their intrinsic propensity to degenerate to CSCs. We also explore the characteristics of the events and mutations leading to malignant transformation in each case. Importantly, healthy dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) share a great deal of features with many of the so far reported CSC phenotypes found in malignant neoplasms. However, there exist literally no reports about the contribution of DPSCs to malignant tumors. This raises the question about the particularities of the dental pulp and what specific barriers to malignancy might be present in the case of this tissue. These notable differences warrant further research to decipher the singular properties of DPSCs that make them resistant to transformation, and to unravel new therapeutic targets to treat deadly tumors.This work has been financed by The University of The Basque Country (UPV/EHU): Grant number GIU16/66, UFI 11/44, COLAB19/03 and IKERTU-2020.0155 (to F.U), the Basque Government/Eusko Jaurkaritza: ELKARTEK KK-2019/00093 (to U.F.), and MINECO “Ramón y Cajal” program RYC-2013-13450 and MINECO PID2019-104766RB-C21 (to P.J.R.). L.J. was funded by a UPV/EHU postdoctoral fellowship DOKBERRI 2019 (DOCREC19/49) program