Optimal 3-T MRI for depiction of the finger A2 pulley: comparison between T1-weighted, fat-saturated T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated T1-weighted sequences

OBJECTIVE: To compare three spin-echo sequences, transverse T1-weighted (T1WI), transverse fat-saturated (FS) T2-weighted (T2WI), and transverse gadolinium-enhanced (Gd) FS T1WI, for the visualisation of normal and abnormal finger A2 pulley with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at 3 tesla (T). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three fingers from 21 patients were consecutively investigated. Two musculoskeletal radiologists retrospectively compared all sequences to assess the visibility of normal and abnormal A2 pulleys and the presence of motion or ghost artefacts. RESULTS: Normal and abnormal A2 pulleys were visible in 94% (59/63) and 95% (60/63) on T1WI sequences, in 63% (40/63) and 60% (38/63) on FS T2WI sequences, and in 87% (55/63) and 73% (46/63) on Gd FS T1WI sequences when read by the first and second observer, respectively. Motion and ghost artefacts were higher on FS T2WI sequences. Seven among eight abnormal A2 pulleys were detected, and were best depicted with Gd FS T1WI sequences in 71% (5/7) and 86% (6/7) by the first and the second observer, respectively. CONCLUSION: In 3-T MRI, the comparison between transverse T1WI, FS T2WI, and Gd FS T1WI sequences shows that transverse T1WI allows excellent depiction of the A2 pulley, that FS T2WI suffers from a higher rate of motion and ghost artefacts, and transverse Gd FS T1WI is the best sequence for the depiction of abnormal A2 pulley.

Electromyographic validation of the double pulley equipment during movements of the lower limbs

The double pulley equipment was tested on ten male volunteers during contraction of the semitendinosus and biceps femoris (caput longum) muscles in the following movements of the lower limbs: 1) hip extension with extended knee and erect trunk, 2) hip extension with flexed knee and erect trunk, 3) hip extension with flexed knee and erect trunk, 3) hip extension with extended knee and inclined trunk, 5) hip abduction along the midline, 7) hip abduction with extension beyond the midline, 8) adduction with hip flexion beyond the midline, 8) adduction with hip flexion beyond the midline, and 9) adduction with hip extension beyond the midline. The myoelectric signals were taken up by Lec Tec surface electrodes connected to a 6-channel Lynx electromyographic signal amplifier coupled with a computer equipped with a model CAD 10/26 analogue digital conversion board and with a specific software for signal recording and analysis. The semitendinosus and biceps femoris muscles presented the highest potentials in movements 1; 2; 7, 8 and 9, whereas the potentials in the remaining movements were negligible. The pattern of activity of the semitendinosus and the biceps femoris was similar in exercises 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8. The potentials of the semitendinosus prevailed in movements 5, 6 and 7, and the strongest potentials observed in movement 9 were those of the biceps femoris.

Electromyographyc evaluation of movements of lower limb in double pulley system equipment: Comparison between gastrocnemius (caput laterale) and gluteus maximus

It was evaluated movements of lower limb in the double pulley system equipment on ten male volunteers during contraction of gastrocnemius (caput laterale ) and gluteus maximus muscles in the following movements: 1) hip extension with extended knee and erect trunk, 2) hip extension with flexed knee and erect trunk, 3) hip extension with flexed knee and erect trunk, 3) hip extension with extended knee and inclined trunk, 5) hip abduction along the midline, 7) hip abduction with extension beyond the midline, 8) adduction with hip flexion beyond the midline, 8) adduction with hip flexion beyond the midline, and 9) adduction with hip extension beyond the midline. Myoelectric signals were taken up by Lec Tec surface electrodes connected to a 6-channel Lynx electromyographic signal amplifier coupled with a computer equipped with a model CAD 10/26 analogue digital conversion board and with a specific software for signal recording and analysis. We observed weak gastrocnemius muscle activity for all movements studied. In the case of gluteus maximus, the most important potentials were observed for movement 2, while for the remaining movements the actions were of reasonable intensity. Compared to gluteus, gastrocnemius was less required for all movements.

Undulatory Physical Resistance Training Program Increases Maximal Strength In Elderly Type 2 Diabetics.

To investigate the effects of a specific protocol of undulatory physical resistance training on maximal strength gains in elderly type 2 diabetics. The study included 48 subjects, aged between 60 and 85 years, of both genders. They were divided into two groups: Untrained Diabetic Elderly (n=19) with those who were not subjected to physical training and Trained Diabetic Elderly (n=29), with those who were subjected to undulatory physical resistance training. The participants were evaluated with several types of resistance training's equipment before and after training protocol, by test of one maximal repetition. The subjects were trained on undulatory resistance three times per week for a period of 16 weeks. The overload used in undulatory resistance training was equivalent to 50% of one maximal repetition and 70% of one maximal repetition, alternating weekly. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between pre-test and post-test over a period of 16 weeks. The average gains in strength were 43.20% (knee extension), 65.00% (knee flexion), 27.80% (supine sitting machine), 31.00% (rowing sitting), 43.90% (biceps pulley), and 21.10% (triceps pulley). Undulatory resistance training used with weekly different overloads was effective to provide significant gains in maximum strength in elderly type 2 diabetic individuals.

Resection of the flexor digitorum superficialis for trigger finger with proximal interphalangeal joint positional contracture

Open release of the Al pulley is a widely known procedure for the treatment of trigger finger. However, a subset of patients present trigger finger with a positional contracture of the proximal interphalangeal joint. These patients usually have a long history of trigger finger or have already undergone one surgery to treat trigger finger. In both instances, surgical intervention with only transection of the Al pulley is ineffective. In this study, 36 patients (39 fingers) were treated by resection of the flexor digitorum superficialis after section of the Al pulley (mean age: 63 y). We performed a retrospective review with a mean follow up of 30 months. The mean pre-operative extension deficit of the proximal interphalangeal articulation was 24 degrees, and 28 of the 39 affected fingers achieved filli extension following the surgical intervention. All of the resected tendons had histological damage. This technique is a useful treatment for selected patients whose trigger finger is associated with a positional contracture.

Displaced women professionals: an exploration of perceived learning processes during workplace transition /

This study focused on obtaining a deeper understanding of the perceived learning of female professionals during workplace transition. The women's lived experiences were explored through a feminist interpretive lens (Bloom, 1998). The study also drew upon concepts from adult learning such as barriers and facilitating factors to learning, resistance, transformative learning, and multiple ways of knowing. Five women participated in a 1 -hour interview and a focus group activity. The findings are presented under the 2 broad themes of perceived learning and factors affecting learning. The most common theme of perceived learning was participants' experience of increased self-knowledge. Additionally, while learning was thought of as a struggle, it provided either an opportunity for a reexamination of goals or a reexamination of self. Reflection by participants seemed to follow two orientations and other types of perceived learning included experiential, formal, and informal learning. In the broad theme of factors affecting learning, contradictions and conflict emerged through the examination of participants' multiple subjectivities, and within their naming of many factors as both facilitating factors and barriers to learning. The factors affecting learning themes included personal relationships, professional communities, selfesteem, attitude and emotion, the gendered experience of transition, time, and finances. The final theme explored participants' view of work and their orientations to the future. A proposed model of learning during workplace transition is presented (Figure 1 ) and the findings discussed within this proposed model's framework. Additional developmental theories of women (Josselson, 1987; Levinson & Levinson, 1996), communities of practice theories (Wenger, 1998), and career resilience theories (Pulley, 1995) are discussed within the context of the proposed model. Implications to practice for career counsellors, people going through workplace transition, human resource managers and career coaches were explored. Additionally implications to theory and future areas of research are also discussed.

Relación entre los estilos de liderazgo y los niveles de resiliencia de los subordinados

El presente documento hace un análisis de la influencia que ejercen los diferentes tipos de liderazgo, carismático y transaccional, de un directivo de una organización sobre los subordinados de la misma, que a su vez afecta positiva o negativamente el nivel de resiliencia de los mismos. De la misma forma, se ha identificado la relación que existe entre el nivel de resiliencia de los subordinados de una organización y el cumplimiento de objetivos corporativos de la misma. Todo lo anterior se justifica en la economía globalizada de la que ahora hacemos parte que obliga a las empresas a generar nuevas estrategias de competitividad dentro de ambientes turbulentos y cambiantes donde, el desarrollar y motivar el recurso humano de la organización toma importancia para la ejecución exitosa de estrategias diferenciales.

The roman world : from Republic to Empire.

Desarrolla en los estudiantes conocimientos y aptitudes en historia y, también, comprensión de la historia de la antigua Roma. Se divide en unidades que presentan diferentes aspectos del mundo romano: el advenimiento de la república romana, la vida familiar, los dioses y diosas, Gran Bretaña romana, y el declive y caída del imperio. Utiliza una amplia gama de fuentes primarias, mapas y esquemas explicativos, y al final de cada sección, preguntas para consolidar conceptos y temas.

Influence of exercise order on upper body maximum and submaximal strength gains in trained men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of exercise order on one-repetition maximum (1-RM) and ten-repetition maximum (10-RM) strength gains after 6 weeks of resistance training (RT) in trained men. Sixteen men were randomly assigned into two groups based on the order of exercises performed during training sessions: a group that performed large muscle group exercises first and progressed to small muscle group exercises (LG-SM); while a second group performed the opposite sequence and started with small muscle group exercises and progressed to large muscle group exercises (SM-LG). Four sessions of RT were conducted per week; all exercises were performed for three sets of 8-12 repetitions with 1-min rest intervals between sets. Maximal and submaximal strength were assessed at baseline and after 6 weeks of RT with 1-RM and 10-RM testing for the bench press (BP), lat pulldown (LPD), triceps pulley extension (TE) and biceps curl (BC), respectively. Two-way ANOVA for the 1-RM and 10-RM tests indicated a significant group x time interaction. The 1-RM values significantly increased for all exercises in both groups (P<0.05), but were not significantly different between groups. However, effect size (ES) data indicated that the LG-SM group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the BP and LPD exercises. Conversely, ES indicated that the SM-LG group exhibited a greater magnitude of gains (1-RM and 10-RM) for the TE and BC exercises. In conclusion, the results suggest that upper body movements should be prioritized and performed according to individual needs to maximize maximal and submaximal strength. © 2013 Scandinavian Society of Clinical Physiology and Nuclear Medicine.

Efeito do exercício com pesos em diferentes intensidades e volumes na sensibilidade à dor em idosas hipertensas e normotensas

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Efeito agudo dos exercícios com pesos sobre os níveis de leptina, adiponectina e fator de necrose tumoral alfa em adultos não treinados

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Diferenciação hemogasimétrica, hemoconcentradora e da glicemia em testes de exaustão muscular usando cinco, quatro ou três exercícios

Em trabalho anterior, observou-se que diferentes grupamentos musculares submetidos ao teste de exaustão (TE) com pesos respondem semelhantemente com hemoconcentração, acidose e aumento da glicemia, entretanto, com variações grupomuscular dependentes. Nesse estudo, é comparado o efeito do impacto provocado pelo TE envolvendo, conjuntamente, 5, 4 ou 3 exercícios por meio da análise desses marcadores bioquímicos. Foram estudados 21 indivíduos do sexo masculino (20-32 anos) voluntários, familiarizados com treinamento em musculação, estratificados em três grupos de acordo com o número de exercícios: grupo 5 ( n= 6) 5 exercícios (Extensão do cotovelo, desenvolvimento pela frente, supino reto, levantamento terra e agachamento), grupo 4 (n= 7) 4 exercícios (Supino reto, rosca direta com barra, agachamento hack, tríceps no pulley), grupo 3 (n= 8) 3 exercícios (Agachamento hack, supino reto, rosca direta ) . Todos foram submetidos à sobrecarga inicial de 80% de uma repetição máxima (1RM), até a exaustão, em seguida, com auxílio externo e sem interrupção do exercício, a carga foi reduzida em 20% do peso, até a impossibilidade de continuidade de realização do exercício com a carga mínima (20% de 1RM). O sangue coletado em veia cubital antes (At) e imediatamente após (Ap) o TE foi analisado para indicadores hemogasimétricos (pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO- 3), hemoconcentração (Ht) e glicemia. O efeito do TE sobre cada variável (At/Ap) foi avaliado comparando-se os grupos por meio de ANOVA-medidas repetidas para significância de p=0,05. Houve significância (p<0,05) na elevação do Ht, glicose e pO2 e redução do pH, PCO2 e HCO- 3, Entretanto houve diferença significativa entre os grupos apenas em relação ao HCO- 3, no qual este apresentou maior variação no G4 em relação ao demais. Assim, esses marcadores sistêmicos respondem a exaustão muscular de modo semelhante ao envolvimento de 3,4 ou 5 grupamentos musculares

Uma análise da eficiência de uma transmissão CVT

This undergraduate thesis evaluates the effects of temperature variation of the air inside the CVT gearbox on the performance of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The CVT used in the tests was manufactured by Gaged Engineering (GX9 model) and is currently used in a Baja prototype. It’s a mechanically operated CVT, which the movement of the pulley plates varies according to the drive shaft rotation, shifting the belt along the diameter, and varying the transmission ratio. The purpose of this work is to analyze the change in the slip factor, coefficient that compares the variation between the actual transmission ratio and the ratio of geometric transmission, and its correlation with the power variation. A test bench was built and some tests were performed, indicating that was possible to achieve output power ratios of 1.75 [ℎ

Redução do tempo de setup de máquinas de usinagem em uma industria automobilística

Continuous improvement of industrial processes is one way to become companies more competitive in the market. For this, a fairly widespread use is the methodology of lean production systems, by eliminating waste. One of the tools of these systems is the method of rapid exchange of die or also called SMED, which will be applied in this study. The study aims to develop proposals for reducing the time of set up of two machines in two machining lines, watching also the ergonomics and safety conditions in this operations. The set up time reduction is justified among others, due to increase the machine productivity. In applying the connecting rod machining line, there were two types of exchange. Reductions in time to set up proposals reached values of 47% to one of them, and 55% to the other. It is important to underline that to reach this result, there was no need for large investments. In the application in block machining line, was developed an improvement in the ergonomic area. It was placed a pulley block that came to increase the time of tool change. Aiming to improve the security of the exchange, without productivity loss, the method was applied to reduce this time. It was developed two proposals.: the first would reduce that time by 19%, and does not require many resources of the company. The second involves the parallelization of the exchange, so that the reduction is 48%. However, this proposal requires one more manpower at the time of exchange and it is not always possible

Análise da cinética do VO2 no domínio severo do crawl em condição atada de nado

Pós-graduação em Desenvolvimento Humano e Tecnologias - IBRC