The comparison of maximal and endurance strength of quadriceps femori in trained and untrained elderly

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in knee extensor maximal and endurance strength in elderly. Sixteen healthy elderly served as subjects, eight of them trained , age 61.0±8.9 yrs; height, 170.6±6.8 cm; weight, 71.8±11.7 kg [mean ± standard deviation] and eight untrained 61.4±8.1 yrs, height 174.6±7.4 cm; weight 83.9 ±14.2 kg. Maximal strength in single leg extension exercise was measured unilaterally with the dominant leg until the subjects reached their 1 Repetition Maximum (RM) covering the full Range of Motion (ROM). Muscular endurance was obtained with a load of 75% of 1-RM for 3 consecutive sets, with 2 min rest periods till failure. Load at 1 RM was lower in absolute terms in untrained, but not significant, while the relative 1-RM test was significantly lower in untrained subjects (0.20 vs. 0.25 kg load/kg body weight) (p<0.05). The number of repetitions and amount of weight lifted performed of all 3 sets was higher in trained subjects, but not significant. In the trained group both repetitions and the load managed in the third set was significant lower compared with the first two sets. The result that maximal force output is more affected compared to muscular endurance in these subjects might be due to the habitual use of quadriceps femoris muscles during activity of daily living in both trained and untrained elderly.

Use of Tablet Pcs in Higher Education: A new Strategy for Training Engineers in European Bachelors and Masters Programmes

The use of technology in classrooms in Spanish universities has been following an upward path, and in many cases technological devices are substituting other materials that until now have been used, such as books, notebooks and so on. Step by step in higher education, more of these latest generationdevices are being used, and are providing significant improvements in training. Nowadays, there are Spanish universities that use tablets, a device with multiple applications for teaching as well as for students to study differently. They are definitely a notable innovation that will gradually become incorporated into university life. Tablet PCs make teaching more dynamic and available to students through the use of up to date digital materials, something which is key in training engineers. This paper presents their different functions employed in three Spanish universities to support teachingin engineering degrees and masters using the tablet PC, and their impact on the training process. Possible uses in specific programs like the Erasmus Masters Programmes are also assessed. The main objective of using tabletsis to improve the academic performance of students through the use of technology.

Magnetars: Properties, Origin and Evolution

Magnetars are neutron stars in which a strong magnetic field is the main energy source. About two dozens of magnetars, plus several candidates, are currently known in our Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds. They appear as highly variable X-ray sources and, in some cases, also as radio and/or optical pulsars. Their spin periods (2–12 s) and spin-down rates (∼10−13–10−10 s s−1) indicate external dipole fields of ∼1013−15 G, and there is evidence that even stronger magnetic fields are present inside the star and in non-dipolar magnetospheric components. Here we review the observed properties of the persistent emission from magnetars, discuss the main models proposed to explain the origin of their magnetic field and present recent developments in the study of their evolution and connection with other classes of neutron stars.

Epithelial Ovarian Cancers and Endometriosis

Aims: To determine the prevalence of endometriosis in epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC) and the association among their histological subtypes and with endometrial carcinoma. Methods: An observational cohort study performed in 192 patients operated on for EOC, 30 women with atypical endometriosis and 17 with p53 positive endometriosis. Data on associated endometriosis and endometrial carcinomas, histological subtypes, tumor stage, clinical and pathological characteristics and survival were analyzed. Results: Twenty cases of EOC (10.4%) had also endometriosis (12.7 in borderline and 9.3% in invasive cases), being a synchronous finding in most cases. Endometriosis associated with serous or mucinous EOC was observed in 2.2 and 2.7% of cases, respectively. However, this association was observed in 50 of endometrioid and 23% of clear cell EOC. Age, parity and tumor stage were lower in endometriosis-associated EOC patients; and all associated cases were type I (Kurman and Shih's classification) and showed better results in survival rate. Endometrial carcinoma was more frequently associated with endometrioid EOC (25%). Conclusions: There is a significant association between endometriosis, including atypical forms, and endometrioid and clear cell carcinomas, but not with other EOC histotypes. The presence of endometriosis in EOC suggests a better prognosis and an intermediate stage within the progression endometriosis-carcinoma.