Mobile Quantification and Therapy Course Tracking for Gait Rehabilitation

This paper presents a novel autonomous quality metric to quantify the rehabilitations progress of subjects with knee/hip operations. The presented method supports digital analysis of human gait patterns using smartphones. The algorithm related to the autonomous metric utilizes calibrated acceleration, gyroscope and magnetometer signals from seven Inertial Measurement Unit attached on the lower body in order to classify and generate the grading system values. The developed Android application connects the seven Inertial Measurement Units via Bluetooth and performs the data acquisition and processing in real-time. In total nine features per acceleration direction and lower body joint angle are calculated and extracted in real-time to achieve a fast feedback to the user. We compare the classification accuracy and quantification capabilities of Linear Discriminant Analysis, Principal Component Analysis and Naive Bayes algorithms. The presented system is able to classify patients and control subjects with an accuracy of up to 100\%. The outcomes can be saved on the device or transmitted to treating physicians for later control of the subject's improvements and the efficiency of physiotherapy treatments in motor rehabilitation. The proposed autonomous quality metric solution bears great potential to be used and deployed to support digital healthcare and therapy.Comment: 5 Page

Intelligent signal processing for digital healthcare monitoring

Ein gesunder Gang ist ein komplexer Prozess und erfordert ein Gleichgewicht zwischen verschiedenen neurophysiologischen Systemen im Körper und gilt als wesentlicher Indikator für den physischen und kognitiven Gesundheitszustand einer Person. Folglich würden Anwendungen im Bereich der Bioinformatik und des Gesundheitswesens erheblich von den Informationen profitieren, die sich aus einer längeren oder ständigen Überwachung des Gangs, der Gewohnheiten und des Verhaltens von Personen unter ihren natürlichen Lebensbedingungen und bei ihren täglichen Aktivitäten mit Hilfe intelligenter Geräte ergeben. Vergleicht man Trägheitsmess- und stationäre Sensorsysteme, so bieten erstere hervorragende Möglichkeiten für Ganganalyseanwendungen und bieten mehrere Vorteile wie geringe Größe, niedriger Preis, Mobilität und sind leicht in tragbare Systeme zu integrieren. Die zweiten gelten als der Goldstandard, sind aber teuer und für Messungen im Freien ungeeignet. Diese Arbeit konzentriert sich auf die Verbesserung der Zeit und Qualität der Gangrehabilitation nach einer Operation unter Verwendung von Inertialmessgeräten, indem sie eine neuartige Metrik zur objektiven Bewertung des Fortschritts der Gangrehabilitation in realen Umgebungen liefert und die Anzahl der verwendeten Sensoren für praktische, reale Szenarien reduziert. Daher wurden die experimentellen Messungen für eine solche Analyse in einer stark kontrollierten Umgebung durchgeführt, um die Datenqualität zu gewährleisten. In dieser Arbeit wird eine neue Gangmetrik vorgestellt, die den Rehabilitationsfortschritt anhand kinematischer Gangdaten von Aktivitäten in Innen- und Außenbereichen quantifiziert und verfolgt. In dieser Arbeit wird untersucht, wie Signalverarbeitung und maschinelles Lernen formuliert und genutzt werden können, um robuste Methoden zur Bewältigung von Herausforderungen im realen Leben zu entwickeln. Es wird gezeigt, dass der vorgeschlagene Ansatz personalisiert werden kann, um den Fortschritt der Gangrehabilitation zu verfolgen. Ein weiteres Thema dieser Arbeit ist die erfolgreiche Anwendung von Methoden des maschinellen Lernens auf die Ganganalyse aufgrund der großen Datenmenge, die von den tragbaren Sensorsystemen erzeugt wird. In dieser Arbeit wird das neuartige Konzept des ``digitalen Zwillings'' vorgestellt, das die Anzahl der verwendeten Wearable-Sensoren in einem System oder im Falle eines Sensorausfalls reduziert. Die Evaluierung der vorgeschlagenen Metrik mit gesunden Teilnehmern und Patienten unter Verwendung statistischer Signalverarbeitungs- und maschineller Lernmethoden hat gezeigt, dass die Einbeziehung der extrahierten Signalmerkmale in realen Szenarien robust ist, insbesondere für das Szenario mit Rehabilitations-Gehübungen in Innenräumen. Die Methodik wurde auch in einer klinischen Studie evaluiert und lieferte eine gute Leistung bei der Überwachung des Rehabilitationsfortschritts verschiedener Patienten. In dieser Arbeit wird ein Prototyp einer mobilen Anwendung zur objektiven Bewertung des Rehabilitationsfortschritts in realen Umgebungen vorgestellt

Mapping climatic risks in the EU agriculture

Replaced with revised version of paper 11/18/08.Agrometeorological models, climatic risk, European Union, Vegetation indices, Environmental Economics and Policy, Risk and Uncertainty,

Agricultural risk management in Europe

Replaced with revised version of paper 11/18/08Risk management policy, agricultural insurance, calamity funds, ad-hoc aids, natural disaster, Production Economics, Risk and Uncertainty,

A New Methodology for Kinematic Parameter Identification in Laser Trackers

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in measurement systems such as laser trackers (LT) for the verification of large-scale parts in the aeronautic, spatial or naval sectors because of their advantages in terms of portability, flexibility, high speed in data acquisition, accuracy, and reliability. These systems present systematic errors caused by geometrical misalignments, environmental conditions, mechanical wear and tear and other unpredictable variables. Different standards such as the ASME B89.4.19 and the VDI 2617-10 suggest tests to calculate the geometric errors of the LT. In this work, we present an alternative calibration method based on a new errors model. The LT can be considered as an open kinematic chain, so it is possible to shape a kinematic model of the LT. Once the kinematic model has been set, the error model is defined. The model has been validated with synthetic data. Then, experimental tests based on the measurement of a mesh of reflectors placed at suitable places for different locations of the LT have been performed to ensure the reliability of the method proposed. A sensitivity analysis shows the best experimental setup to perform a calibration test. The calibration results have been validated with nominal data

Efecto del género y del resultado final del partido en competiciones profesionales de pádel

The present study aimed at analyzing the technical and tactical aspects of professional padel matches in relation to gender and match outcome. For this purpose, a notational analysis was performed on 22 official matches of the World Padel Tour 2016 by means of 18 technical and tactical indicators. A non-parametric approach was applied to evaluate differences (P ≤ 0.05) between gender and match outcome subgroups. For gender, differences emerged for the occurrence (P<0.001) and duration (P<0.001) of rallies, backhand strokes (P=0.02) and backhand volley (P=0.027), strokes close to net (P=0.001) and from midfield zone (P=0.012), smashes determining ball out (P<0.001), and first service faults (P<0.001). For match outcome, a difference was found only for the occurrence of winning rallies (in general: P<0.001; in female performance: P=0.009; in male performance: P=0.001). Although findings highlight that padel performance can be discriminated only for gender, whereas winning and losing performances resulted similar, probably for the influence of different playing styles, this study could represent a valuable reference for further analyses and more effective padel training plans.El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar aspectos técnicos y tácticos en pádel profesional en relación con el género y el resultado final del partido. Para ello, se realizó un análisis notacional de 22 partidos oficiales del circuito profesional World Padel Tour 2016 registrando 18 indicadores técnicos y tácticos. Se llevó a cabo un análisis no paramétrico de los datos para comparar las diferencias (P ≤ 0.05) entre los subgrupos de género y resultado final. Para el género, se encontraron diferencias en el número (P<0.001) y duración (P<0.001) de los rallies, golpes de revés (P=0.02) y voleas de revés (P=0.027), golpes cerca de la red (P<0.001) y golpes desde la zona intermedia del campo (P=0.012), remates ganadores por bola fuera del campo (P<0.001) y faltas de primer saque (P<0.001). Para el resultado del partido, se encontraron diferencias únicamente en el número de rallies ganadores (en general: P<0.001; en mujeres: P=0.009; en hombres: P=0.001). Los resultados obtenidos ponen de manifiesto importantes diferencias en el rendimiento de pádel en cuanto al género, observando resultados similares entre ganadores y perdedores probablemente como consecuencia de diferentes estilos de juego. Este estudio por tanto puede servir como referencia válida para el desarrollo tanto de futuros análisis como de planes de entrenamiento más efectivos en pádel

Laser tracker kinematic error model formulation and subsequent verification under real working conditions

A kinematic model of the Laser Tracker (LT) based on the Denavit-Hartenberg method has been developed. In this model, error matrices have been included with error parameters for linear and rotary joints. The calibration method is based on the measurement of a mesh of reflectors measured by a LT from different positions. Error parameters are calculated knowing that distances between every pair of reflectors is the same regardless the LT position. The absence of nominal data prevents us from knowing the calibration behaviour and its suitability. Although synthetic data tests show a good accuracy improvement, it is not possible to know if this will work with under real working conditions. An experiment has been made to check the calibration procedure. A set of 17 reflectors have been placed on a Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM) and have been measured by a LT from 5 different positions. Reflector positions have also been measured with the CMM to calculate the initial errors. With LT measurements we calculate the error parameters. LT measurements are recalculated considering the kinematic error model and compared with the CMM measurements to get the residual error. Two errors have been calculated; distances error between reflectors and their position error compared with CMM data

Improving government quality in the regions of the EU and its system-wide benefits for cohesion policy

We quantify the general equilibrium effects on economic growth of improving the quality of institutions at the regional level in the context of the implementation of the European Cohesion Policy for the European Union and the UK. The direct impact of changes in the quality of government is integrated in a general equilibrium model to analyse the system-wide economic effects resulting from additional endogenous mechanisms and feedback effects. The results reveal a significant direct effect as well as considerable system-wide benefits from improved government quality on economic growth. A small 5 per cent increase in government quality across European Union regions increases the impact of Cohesion investment by up to 7 per cent in the short run and 3 per cent in the long run. The exact magnitude of the gains depends on various local factors, including the initial endowments of public capital, the level of government quality, and the degree of persistence over time

Evaluación de las manifestaciones gráficas parietales de la Cueva del Forcón (A Fueba, Huesca) : nuevas perspectivas sobre el Arte Paleolítico en la vertiente sur del Pirineo Central

En 1976, un equipo dirigido desde el Museo de Huesca realizó una serie de trabajos en la Cueva del Forcón (San Juan de Toledo, A Fueba, Huesca). Además de la recuperación de diversos materiales e instrumentos prehistóricos en un contexto totalmente alterado, se constató la existencia de grabados parietales de origen antrópico. Tras el descubrimiento del conjunto paleolítico de la Fuente del Trucho, también en la vertiente sur del Pirineo Central, y debido a la similitud formal de los grabados del Forcón con los de otros conjuntos franco-cantábricos, se propuso una cronología paleolítica para el 'arte parietal' de este yacimiento. Desde entonces, la literatura científica lo ha incluido en el inventario de conjuntos parietales paleolíticos. Recientemente, emprendimos un nuevo estudio del dispositivo gráfico -sin revisar desde su primera publicación-, para evaluar su potencial y los argumentos que ofrece para establecer una cronología. En este artículo discutimos las evidencias encontradas y presentamos las conclusiones de este estudio. La principal es que los principales argumentos hallados no avalan una cronología paleolítica -ni incluso prehistórica- de estos motivos.In 1976, a team led from the Museum of Huesca conducted a series of archaeological works in El Forcón Cave (San Juan de Toledo, A Fueba, Huesca). In addition to the recovery of several materials and prehistoric tools in a completely disturbed context, it was discovered the existence of parietal anthropic engravings. After the discovery of the Palaeolithic parietal site of Fuente del Trucho, also on the southern slope of the Central Pyrenees, and joined to the formal similarity of the El Forcón engravings with other Franco-Cantabrian ensembles, a Palaeolithic chronology was proposed for the 'parietal art' of this site. Since then, the scientific literature has included this ensemble in the inventory of cave art. Recently, we undertook a study of the graphical device -unrevised since its first publication-, to assess its potential and the arguments to establish a chronology. In this paper we discuss the evidence found and present the conclusions of the study. The most relevant is that the arguments do not support a Palaeolithic -or even a Prehistoric- chronology for the parietal motifs