Does Arch Stiffness Influence Running Spatiotemporal Parameters? An Analysis of the Relationship between Influencing Factors on Running Performance

This study aimed to determine the influence of arch stiffness on running spatiotemporal parameters at a common speed for a wide range of endurance runners (i.e., 12 km h-1). In total, 97 runners, 52 men and 45 women, completed a treadmill running protocol at 12 km h-1. Spatiotemporal parameters were measured using the OptoGait system, and foot structure was assessed by determining arch stiffness. Since between-sex differences were found in anthropometric and foot structure variables, data analysis was conducted separately for men and women, and body mass and height were considered as covariates. For both sexes, a k-means cluster analysis grouped participants according to arch stiffness, by obtaining a group of low-arch stiffness (LAS group) and a group of high-arch stiffness (HAS group), with significant differences in arch stiffness (p < 0.001, for both men and women). No significant differences between LAS and HAS groups were found in running spatiotemporal parameters, regardless of sex (p 0.05). For both sexes, the partial correlation analysis reported no significant correlations (p 0.05) between foot structure variables and running spatiotemporal parameters. The results obtained show no differences in spatiotemporal gait characteristics during running at submaximal velocity between runners with low-arch stiffness and those with high-arch stiffness, regardless of sex. These findings may have important implications for clinicians and coaches by adding more evidence to the debate about the use of static foot classification measures when characterizing the foot and its biomechanics during running

Comparison between Energy Performance Directive related CEN-standards, EU Member States legislation and actual residential buildings consumption

Since the introduction of the EPBD (Energy Performance in Buildings Directive) in Europe, member states (MS) have developed a great deal of codes, procedures, rules and software tools. The European Union (EU) devotes many resources to harmonizing all these codes among MS, such as the Concerted Action (CA) and the CEN (European Committee for Standardization) standards. However, few countries follow the complete CEN standards and there is uncertainty about the current situation. This paper compares, through a practical case, the CEN standards with codes created in Spain on the basis of a measured building. The conclusion is that at least in the Spanish case there is a mismatch with CEN, regarding the losses in the HVAC distribution sub-systems, which should be fixed. Finally, the results presented can be useful for other countries which are trying to implement similar codes to improve their energy efficiency in the building sector. In 2003 the European Commission (EC) issued a Directive, 2002/91/EC [8]. On 19 May 2010, a recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive [9] was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union in order to strengthen the energy performance requirements and to clarify and streamline some of the provisions from the 2002 Directive it recasts. The objective of this directive is to promote the improvement of the energy performance of buildings within the community, taking into account outdoor climatic and local conditions, as well as indoor climate requirements and cost-effectiveness. For new and existing buildings this requires a calculation of the energy performance of the building including heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting systems, based on primary energy. Each building must have an energy certificate and regular inspections of heating, cooling and ventilation systems must be performed. This directive required all member countries to implement the directive in the building codes at the national level by January 2006. Until now this has only been implemented fully in a small number of countries and partially in some others. As the November 2008 Commission Communication for the original proposal states, buildings have significant untapped potential for cost effective energy savings which, if realized, would mean that in 2020 the EU will consume 11% less final energy. The question arises as to whether this goal is actually achievable. This paper analyses or more precisely investigates the extent to which the MS codes and procedures adhere to the new European CEN standards related to EPBD and MS by using the case of Spain as an example. It is our hope that the conclusions will be extrapolated to other MS. In the past, the CEN norms related to EPBD began to appear. Some authors (Bjarne et al. [10]) obtained results from the published CEN drafts. This article extends widely their results since the calculations are done with the definitive version of CEN and the results are compared with real consumption. The building energy demand and consumption is estimated by the Spanish software tools and by the CEN standards. Furthermore, both are compared with measured values from one real building made up of two blocks which share a common heating facility.García Lastra, AM.; Soto Francés, VM.; Pinazo Ojer, JM. (2015). Comparison between Energy Performance Directive related CEN-standards, EU Member States legislation and actual residential buildings consumption. REHVA Journal. 52:28-39. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/78875S28395

Impact costs due to climate change along the coasts of Catalonia

Climate change is an increasingly critical issue impacting coasts and coast structures, leading to erosion, flooding, sea level rise, etc. These significantly impact not only the environment and society, but also the regional infrastructure and economy. This study focused on assessing the costs associated with climate change along the coast of Catalonia. An innovative tool in Python called GCIFS (Georeferenced Impact Forecast System) was developed for the assessment, which is based on LiDAR measurements, cartography, and online databases to predict future coastlines and economic impacts. The proposed methodology considered unique beach-specific scenarios, and multiple direction and altitude vectors to identify difficult-to-erode areas and existing protections were generated. Seven approaches based on forecasted sea-level rise with and without coastal geomorphology were applied to 262 beaches. Local impact factors and potential protection, using detailed data on infrastructure and building typology, were included in the cost evaluation, resulting in estimated costs by the year 2100 of EUR 8846.00 million for the worst-case scenario, EUR 3587.36 million for a conservative prediction including geomorphology, and EUR 822.67 million for a prediction based on local erosion and geomorphology. It was concluded that 170,676 m of protection structures is required. The selected approach, technologies, and detailed information are critical for an adequate assessment.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Universalidad y gestión competitiva

The article is a derivation of the completed study “universality and Explicit knowledge based on organizational theories”, it is based on the first level manager, from the perspective of competitive management and analyzes how prepared are the managers of Colombian companies in terms of professional training, highest degree of studies and complementary knowledge in management or administration. The above is established using as a tool a classical perspective representative of statistics, by means of a survey, where these aspects are investigated. The resulting product shows that a representative percentage of managers lack training in the subject, constituting a significant disadvantage in terms of competence compared to their adversaries; therefore, it is evident the need to raise awareness among academics, shareholders, owners and managers, to take into account the training of executives in managerial management.El presente es una derivación de la investigación terminada “universalidad y conocimiento Explícito basado en teorías de la organización”, se fundamenta en el directivo de primer nivel, desde la perspectiva de gestión competitiva y se analiza qué tan preparados están los gerentes de las empresas colombianas en lo referente con formación profesional, grado más elevado de estudios realizados y saberes complementarios en gerencia o administración. Lo anterior se establece utilizando como herramienta una perspectiva clásica representativa de la estadística, mediante encuesta, donde se investigan estos aspectos. El producto resultante muestra que un porcentaje representativo de los directivos carecen de formación en la materia, constituyendo una desventaja significativa en cuanto a competencia referente a sus adversarios; por lo cual, se evidencia la necesidad de concientizar a académicos, accionistas, propietarios y directivos, a tener en cuenta la formación de los ejecutivos en gestión gerencial

CONCURRENT VALIDITY OF LOWER LIMB KINEMATICS BETWEEN MARKERLESS AND MARKER-BASED MOTION CAPTURE SYSTEMS IN GAIT AND RUNNING.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a markerless silhouette-based tracking and hybrid tracking against traditional marker tracking. Different speeds in gait and running conditions were analysed. In the literature, studies most often make use of low cost rather than high performance systems. Markerless systems allow us to evaluate in the most natural conditions. Very high correlations were obtained depending on the joint. The use of markerless tracking is still new regarding motion analysis in sports or for clinical purposes. This technology could be a very good solution for clinical rehabilitation and real sports situations

A tennis field test to objectively measure the hitting accuracy based on an Excel spreadsheet: Practical guidelines and applications

Stroke accuracy is highly related with tennis performance and has traditionally been quantified using general areas of scoring. Hence there is a need to develop methods that allow accuracy to be measured with higher resolution. The aim of the work is to develop a field test and an Excel spreadsheet associated that allows to evaluate the accuracy of the strokes with a resolution up to centimetres and to study how shots landings are distributed. The test consists of 4 series of 20 groundstrokes performed in the down the line or cross-court direction (this is modifiable). The 2D coordinates of bounce of the ball is recorded with a camera, digitalized using a specialized software and introduced in the Excel spreadsheet. Then it computes a series of parameters that describe the 95% confidence ellipse of the shot landing on the court. A real example of the test outcomes of two advanced players - performing forehands and backhands down the line- is shown. Consistent with previous literature both players obtained a better accuracy in the mediolateral direction than in the longitudinal direction and ellipses were oriented almost parallel to the sideline (ellipse tilts were below 12 degrees in all cases). Ellipse area was considerably greater for the backhand than for the forehand in player two (38.8 vs. 55.5 m2) but not in player one (51.5 vs. 50.8 m2). Finally, the centre location of the ellipse in the longitudinal axis was positive in all cases (near 200 cm) which suggest that both players preferred to make short shots rather than send the ball out of the limits of the baseline. We conclude that this methodology can be used by researchers that want to assess accuracy with high resolution and by coaches that want to evaluate -with high sensibility- the player progression after a training program

The effect of two retraining programs, barefoot running vs increasing cadence, on kinematic parameters: A randomized controlled trial

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of two 10‐week non‐laboratory‐based running retraining programs on foot kinematics and spatiotemporal parameters in recreational runners. One hundred and three recreational runners (30 ± 7.2 years old, 39% females) were randomly assigned to either: a barefoot retraining group (BAR) with 3 sessions/week over 10 weeks, a cadence retraining group (CAD) who increased cadence by 10% again with 3 sessions/week over 10 weeks and a control group (CON) who did not perform any retraining. The footstrike pattern, footstrike angle (FSA), and spatial‐temporal variables at comfortable and high speeds were measured using 2D/3D photogrammetry and a floor‐based photocell system. A 3 × 2 ANOVA was used to compare between the groups and 2 time points. The FSA significantly reduced at the comfortable speed by 5.81° for BAR (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.749) and 4.81° for CAD (p = 0.002; Cohen's d = 0.638), and at high speed by 6.54° for BAR (p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.753) and by 4.71° for CAD (p = 0.001; Cohen's d = 0.623). The cadence significantly increased by 2% in the CAD group (p = 0.015; Cohen's d = 0.344) at comfortable speed and the BAR group showed a 1.7% increase at high speed. BAR and CAD retraining programs showed a moderate effect for reducing FSA and rearfoot prevalence, and a small effect for increasing cadence. Both offer low‐cost and feasible tools for gait modification within recreational runners in clinical scenarios

HGUE-C-1 is an atypical and novel colon carcinoma cell line

Background: Colorectal carcinoma is a common cause of cancer. Adjuvant treatments include: 5-fluorouracil administered together with folinic acid, or more recently, oral fluoropyrimidines such as capecitabine, in combination with oxaliplatin or irinotecan. Metastatic colorectal cancer patients can benefit from other additional treatments such as cetuximab or bevacizumab. Methods: Using cell culture techniques, we isolated clonal populations from primary cultures of ascitic effusion derived from a colon cancer patient and after several passages an established cell line, HGUE-C-1, was obtained. Genetic analysis of HGUE-C-1 cells was performed by PCR of selected exons and sequencing. Cell proliferation studies were performed by MTT assays and cell cycle analyses were performed by flow cytometry. Retinoblastoma activity was measured by luciferase assays and proteins levels and activity were analysed by Western blot or immunohistochemistry. Results: We have established a new cell line from ascitic efussion of a colon cancer patient who did not respond to 5-fluorouracil or irinotecan. HGUE-C-1 cells did not show microsatellite instability and did not harbour mutations in KRAS, BRAF, PI3KCA or TP53. However, these cells showed loss of heterozygosity affecting Adenomatous Polyposis Coli and nuclear staining of β-catenin protein. The HGUE-C-1 cell line was sensitive to erlotinib, gefitinib, NVP-BEZ235, rapamycin and trichostatin, among other drugs, but partially resistant to heat shock protein inhibitors and highly resistant to AZD-6244 and oxaliplatin, even though the patient from which this cell line was derived had not been exposed to these drugs. Molecular characterization of this cell line revealed low expression levels and activity of Retinoblastoma protein and elevated basal levels of Erk1/2 activity and p70S6K expression and activity, which may be related to chemoresistance mechanisms. Conclusions: HGUE-C-1 represents a novel and peculiar colon carcinoma model to study chemoresistance to chemotherapeutic agents and to novel anti-neoplasic drugs that interrupt signalling pathways such as the APC/βcatenin, Ras/Raf/Mek/Erk, PI3K/mTOR/p70S6K pathways as well as histone regulation mechanisms.This article has been funded by grants from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III FIS PI080901and FIS PI01202025 to Miguel Saceda

Modelo de autocuidado e imagem corporal em adultos pós cirurgia bariátrica

Objetivo:&nbsp;testar um modelo de autocuidado explicado pela relação entre autoeficácia, imagem corporal, transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo e depressão em pessoas com cirurgia bariátrica na cidade de Tijuana, no México.&nbsp;Método:&nbsp;estudo transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto e dezembro de 2020. Instrumentos validados foram aplicados a 102 participantes para medir sua capacidade de autocuidado, autoeficácia geral, sintomas psicopatológicos, e percepção e satisfação com a imagem corporal. As variáveis de interesse foram analisadas utilizando estatísticas descritivas e correlações de Pearson e Spearman para finalmente desenvolver um modelo utilizando a análise de caminho (path analysis).&nbsp;Resultados:&nbsp;foi obtido um modelo significativo com bons indicadores de bondade de ajuste (qui-quadrado χ 2 (8)= 11,451, p = 0,177; raiz quadrada da média do erro de aproximação (RMSEA)= 0,000; índice de bondade de ajuste (GFI)= 0,965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0,985; índice de ajuste normalizado parcimonioso (PNFI)= 0,509 e critério de informação de Akaike (AIC)= 37,451). A autoeficácia (Zβ= 0,294) e a insatisfação com a imagem corporal (Zβ= -0,376) demonstraram ter um efeito sobre as capacidades de autocuidado, enquanto os sintomas psicopatológicos influenciam a insatisfação corporal: transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (Zβ= 0,370) e depressão (Zβ= 0,320).&nbsp;Conclusão:&nbsp;níveis adequados de autoeficácia e satisfação corporal predizem uma alta capacidade de autocuidado.Objective:&nbsp;the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.&nbsp;Method:&nbsp;this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis.&nbsp;Result:&nbsp;a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ2&nbsp;(8) = 11.451,&nbsp;p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320). Conclusion:&nbsp;adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.Objetivo:&nbsp;probar un modelo de autocuidado explicado por la relación entre autoeficacia, imagen corporal, obsesión-compulsión y depresión en personas con cirugía bariátrica de la ciudad de Tijuana, B.C.&nbsp;Método:&nbsp;estudio transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto y diciembre de 2020. Se aplicaron instrumentos validados a 102 participantes para medir su capacidad de autocuidado, autoeficacia general, síntomas psicopatológicos, percepción y satisfacción de la imagen corporal. Las variables de interés fueron analizadas mediante estadística descriptiva y correlaciones de Pearson y Spearman para finalmente elaborar un modelo mediante análisis de ruta (Path Analysis).&nbsp;Resultados:&nbsp;se obtuvo un modelo significativo con buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste (chi-cuadrado χ&nbsp;2&nbsp;(8)= 11.451,&nbsp;p = .177; error de aproximación raíz-media-cuadrada (RMSEA)= 0.000; índice de bondad de ajuste (GFI)= 0.965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0.985; índice de ajuste normado parsimonioso (PNFI)= 0.509 y criterio de información de Akaike (AIC)= 37.451). Se demostró que la autoeficacia (Zβ= 0.294) y la insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (Zβ= -0.376) tienen un efecto sobre las capacidades de autocuidado mientras que los síntomas psicopatológicos influyen sobre la insatisfacción corporal: obsesión-compulsión (Zβ= 0.370) y depresión (Zβ= 0.320).&nbsp;Conclusión:&nbsp;los niveles adecuados de autoeficacia y satisfacción corporal predicen una alta capacidad de autocuidado

Facilitated Anion Transport Induces Hyperpolarization of the Cell Membrane That Triggers Differentiation and Cell Death in Cancer Stem Cells

Facilitated anion transport potentially represents a powerful tool to modulate various cellular functions. However, research into the biological effects of small molecule anionophores is still at an early stage. Here we have used two potent anionophore molecules inspired in the structure of marine metabolites tambjamines to gain insight into the effect induced by these compounds at the cellular level. We show how active anionophores, capable of facilitating the transmembrane transport of chloride and bicarbonate in model phospholipid liposomes, induce acidification of the cytosol and hyperpolarization of plasma cell membranes. We demonstrate how this combined effect can be used against cancer stem cells (CSCs). Hyperpolarization of cell membrane induces cell differentiation and loss of stemness of CSCs leading to effective elimination of this cancer cell subpopulation.panishgovernment and the EU (FIS PI13/00089, FIS PI12/02838,FIS PI12/00956 and RD12/0036/0025), a grant from LaMaratóde TV3 Foundation (20132730), a grant from SEPAR(17/2014), Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Castilla yLeón (Project BU340U13), Ministerio de Economíaycompetitividad/Instituto de Salud Carlos III (SAF2014-55700-P), and ICREA Academia-201