A comparison land-water environment of maximal voluntary isometric contraction during manual muscle testing through surface electromyography

Background The aim of this study was to compare through surface electromyographic (sEMG) recordings of the maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) on dry land and in water by manual muscle test (MMT). Method Sixteen healthy right-handed subjects (8 males and 8 females) participated in measurement of muscle activation of the right shoulder. The selected muscles were the cervical erector spinae, trapezius, pectoralis, anterior deltoid, middle deltoid, infraspinatus and latissimus dorsi. The MVC test conditions were random with respect to the order on the land/in water. Results For each muscle, the MVC test was performed and measured through sEMG to determine differences in muscle activation in both conditions. For all muscles except the latissimus dorsi, no significant differences were observed between land and water MVC scores (p = 0.063–0.679) and precision (%Diff = 7–10%) were observed between MVC conditions in the muscles trapezius, anterior deltoid and middle deltoid. Conclusions If the procedure for data collection is optimal, under MMT conditions it appears that comparable MVC sEMG values were achieved on land and in water and the integrity of the EMG recordings were maintained during wáter immersion.

Analysis of the neuromuscular activity during rising from a chair in water and on dry land

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to analyze the neuromuscular responses during the performance of a sit to stand [STS] task in water and on dry land. SCOPE: 10 healthy subjects, five males and five females were recruited for study. Surface electromyography sEMG was used for lower limb and trunk muscles maximal voluntarty contraction [MVC] and during the STS task. RESULTS: Muscle activity was significantly higher on dry land than in water normalized signals by MVC from the quadriceps-vastus medialis [17.3%], the quadriceps - rectus femoris [5.3%], the long head of the biceps femoris [5.5%], the tibialis anterior [13.9%], the gastrocnemius medialis [3.4%], the soleus [6.2%]. However, the muscle activity was higher in water for the rectus abdominis [-26.6%] and the erector spinae [-22.6%]. CONCLUSIONS: This study for the first time describes the neuromuscular responses in healthy subjects during the performance of the STS task in water. The differences in lower limb and trunk muscle activity should be considered when using the STS movement in aquatic rehabilitation.

Association between glaucoma and at–fault motor vehicle collision involvement among older drivers

Objective To examine the association between glaucoma and motor vehicle collision (MVC) involvement among older drivers, including the role of visual field impairment that may underlie any association found. Design A retrospective population-based study Participants A sample of 2,000 licensed drivers aged 70 years and older who reside in north central Alabama. Methods At-fault MVC involvement for five years prior to enrollment was obtained from state records. Three aspects of visual function were measured: habitual binocular distance visual acuity, binocular contrast sensitivity and the binocular driving visual field constructed from combining the monocular visual fields of each eye. Poisson regression was used to calculate crude and adjusted rate ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main Outcomes Measures At-fault MVC involvement for five years prior to enrollment. Results Drivers with glaucoma (n = 206) had a 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.28, p = 0.002) times higher MVC rate compared to those without glaucoma after adjusting for age, gender and mental status. Among those with glaucoma, drivers with severe visual field loss had higher MVC rates (RR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.09-4.09, p = 0.027), whereas no significant association was found among those with impaired visual acuity and contrast sensitivity. When the visual field was sub-divided into six regions (upper, lower, left, and right visual fields; horizontal and vertical meridians), we found that impairment in the left, upper or lower visual field was associated with higher MVC rates, and an impaired left visual field showed the highest RR (RR = 3.16, p = 0.001) compared to other regions. However, no significant association was found in deficits in the right side or along the horizontal or vertical meridian. Conclusions A population-based study suggests that older drivers with glaucoma are more likely to have a history of at-fault MVC involvement than those without glaucoma. Impairment in the driving visual field in drivers with glaucoma appears to have an independent association with at-fault MVC involvement, whereas visual acuity and contrast sensitivity impairments do not.

Muscular activity and fatigue in lower-limb and trunk muscles during different sit-to-stand tests

Sit-to-stand (STS) tests measure the ability to get up from a chair, reproducing an important component of daily living activity. As this functional task is essential for human independence, STS performance has been studied in the past decades using several methods, including electromyography. The aim of this study was to measure muscular activity and fatigue during different repetitions and speeds of STS tasks using surface electromyography in lower-limb and trunk muscles. This cross-sectional study recruited 30 healthy young adults. Average muscle activation, percentage of maximum voluntary contraction, muscle involvement in motion and fatigue were measured using surface electrodes placed on the medial gastrocnemius (MG), biceps femoris (BF), vastus medialis of the quadriceps (QM), the abdominal rectus (AR), erector spinae (ES), rectus femoris (RF), soleus (SO) and the tibialis anterior (TA). Five-repetition STS, 10-repetition STS and 30-second STS variants were performed. MG, BF, QM, ES and RF muscles showed differences in muscle activation, while QM, AR and ES muscles showed significant differences in MVC percentage. Also, significant differences in fatigue were found in QM muscle between different STS tests. There was no statistically significant fatigue in the BF, MG and SO muscles of the leg although there appeared to be a trend of increasing fatigue. These results could be useful in describing the functional movements of the STS test used in rehabilitation programs, notwithstanding that they were measured in healthy young subjects.

Olioarkkitehtuurit peliohjelmistoissa

Tutkielmassa kuvataan peliohjelmistojen toimintoja ja rakenteita ohjelmistoteknisestä näkökulmasta. Pelisovelluksen yleiseksi arkkitehtuuriksi kuvataan MVC-arkkitehtuurimalliin perustuva ratkaisu, joka käyttää viestinvälitysjärjestelmää sovelluksen osajärjestelmien väliseen kommunikaatioon. Tutkielmassa esitellään peliohjelmistoissa tarvittavan reaaliaikaisen kolmiulotteisen grafiikan menetelmiä sekä avoimeen lähdekoodiin perustuva Ogre-grafiikkakomponentti. Suunnitteluratkaisujen ja menetelmien toimivuutta testataan suunnittelemalla ja toteuttamalla prototyyppi kehysmäisestä peliohjelmistosta. Tutkielman lopuksi esitetään analyysi peliohjelmistoihin suositeltavista suunnitteluratkaisuista, kuten peliobjektien komponenttiperustaisesta mallinnuksesta. Tutkielman konstruktiivisen osuuden tuloksena syntyi tyypitetty viesti -suunnittelumalliin pohjautuva suunnitteluratkaisu ohjelmiston sisäisen viestinvälityksen toteuttamiseen.

The effect of high versus low intensity heat acclimation on performance and neuromuscular responses

This study examined the effect of exercise intensity and duration during 5-day heat acclimation (HA) on cycling performance and neuromuscular responses. 20 recreationally trained males completed a ‘baseline’ trial followed by 5 consecutive days HA, and a ‘post-acclimation’ trial. Baseline and post-acclimation trials consisted of maximal voluntary contractions (MVC), a single and repeated countermovement jump protocol, 20 km cycling time trial(TT) and 5x6 s maximal sprints (SPR). Cycling trials were undertaken in 33.0 ± 0.8 °C and 60 ± 3% relative humidity.Core(Tcore), and skin temperatures (Tskin), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and thermal sensation were recorded throughout cycling trials. Participants were assigned to either 30 min high-intensity (30HI) or 90 min low-intensity (90LI) cohorts for HA, conducted in environmental conditions of 32.0 ± 1.6 °C. Percentage change time to complete the 20 km TT for the 90LI cohort was significantly improved post-acclimation(-5.9 ± 7.0%; P=0.04) compared to the 30HI cohort (-0.18 ± 3.9%; P<0.05). The 30HI cohort showed greatest improvements in power output (PO) during post-acclimation SPR1 and 2 compared to 90LI (546 ± 128 W and 517 ± 87 W,respectively; P<0.02). No differences were evident for MVC within 30HI cohort, however, a reduced performance indicated by % change within the 90LI (P=0.04). Compared to baseline, mean Tcore was reduced post-acclimation within the 30HI cohort (P=0.05) while mean Tcore and HR were significantly reduced within the 90LI cohort (P=0.01 and 0.04, respectively). Greater physiological adaptations and performance improvements were noted within the 90LI cohort compared to the 30HI. However, 30HI did provide some benefit to anaerobic performance including sprint PO and MVC. These findings suggest specifying training duration and intensity during heat acclimation may be useful for specific post-acclimation performance.

一种改进的类比估算方法及案例研究

软件成本估算是软件工程领域的重要活动之一。类比估算由于具有易于理解、不受数据规模的影响、不需要本地校准、降低异常点对估算精度的影响等优势，所以是软件成本估算常用的方法之一。项目属性集的选择、相似度函数定义和修正求解是类比估算三个比较重要的方面。 通过对比分析目前类比估算相似度的定义，得出其存在的问题是：没有充分利用模型和历史项目集信息从而在一定的数据集上可能降低估算精度。针对这种问题，本文提出一种改进的类比估算方法，该方法充分利用了模型和历史项目集的相关信息，定义模型属性信息空间上由第一类曲线积分计算的弧长为相似度。 项目属性集选择相关程度比较低的因子以解决由于因子之间相关程度高对估算精度产生影响的问题；修正求解采用基于相似度倒数或平方倒数加权法以解决相似项目数难以确定的问题。 在成本驱动因子的定义和管理、成本估算模型的支持与集成、模型校准、模型精度分析这四个方面，本文分析了现行的成本估算软件存在的问题及发展趋势。根据分析结果，并结合改进的类比估算方法开发了改进的类比估算工具ImpAnalogy。该工具基于Eclipse RCP框架，采用MVC架构实现了数据管理、因子管理、模型精度分析、模型共享等模块。 本文使用工具ImpAnalogy进行了三个案例研究。 案例一：为一个没有使用任何估算方法和估算工具的企业提供一个估算精度相对较高的方法和工具。结果表明改进后的类比方法的估算精度高于基于欧氏距离和AMH的类比估算方法、基于模型的指数加权调整方法、COCOMO类型方法和回归方法。 案例二：为一个准备申请CMMI 4级的企业提供一个估算精度较高的方法。结果表明改进后类比方法的估算精度高于采用欧氏距离和AMH的类比估算方法、COQUALMO类型方法，但是低于回归方法。 案例三：采用NASA93数据集验证方法的有效性，增强说服力。结果表明改进后的类比方法的估算精度高于采用欧氏距离的类比估算方法和回归方法；采用基于相似度倒数或平方倒数加权调整算法的估算精度高于单项目调整算法和回归方法。

产品外形协同设计系统的研究与实现

提出了协同设计工作模式,给出了系统的工作流程,定义了用户的权限分配,研究了基于交互日志的传输方式,讨论了协同设计过程中的实时更新机制。最后采用了基于MVC的体系结构构建了一个原型系统,该系统在实际应用中,验证了该技术思路的正确性。

CSR控制系统的大规模多级分布式数据交互系统

CSR控制系统是一个庞大的网络分布式控制系统,它是由许多子系统组成。大规模多级分布式数据交互系统是CSR控制系统中的核心。它是实现CSR束流多能量级连调的核心，它涉及整个CSR控制系统的数据传输以及数据结构定义。大规模多级分布式数据交互系统的开发是基于螺旋模型，采用螺旋模型进行开发能最优实现CSR控制系统的需求以及各开发阶段具有很大的设计灵活性。该大规模多级分布式数据交互系统完全实现了采集数据的上行和控制数据的下行，系统通过网页实现对控制数据的录入以及对采集数据的实时显示。CSR所有数据都存储于Oracle数据库系统，数据库系统是一个三级分布式数据库系统，这样能均衡各前端服务器的资源与性能。前端服务器COM组件通过TCP/IP与ARM控制器和多功能控制器进行数据上行下行的数据交互，以及通过PCI 接口实现与各FPGA板卡进行数据交互。 论文论述了对大规模多级分布式数据交互系统、网页系统、Oracle数据库系统、COM组件库、PCI驱动程序以及各软件系统的设计实现。对大规模多级分布式数据交互系统主要从系统的结构、各级硬件设计和各级软件系统的设计这几个方面进行论述；网页系统主要描述了该系统是基于MVC框架模型的开发设计并介绍了JavaBean与Oracle数据库系统的数据交互；Oracle数据库系统主要从二级Oracle数据库的自动实时更新，和各触发器系统这几方面进行论述；又从各COM接口的功能方法进行对COM组件库的全面论述；PCI驱动程序的设计开发是与各FPGA板卡的数据交互的必须条件。大规模多级分布式数据交互系统的软件开发都采用了螺旋模型对其进行开发。本文的工作是CSR控制系统中的核心部分，具有重要的意义，同时也给同行研究工作者提供了重要的参考。 本文核心及创新点：1、创造性地提出了大规模多级分布式数据交互系统软件工程。2、三级分布式数据库系统的自动实时更新。3、采用web+Oracle+COM+PCI+ARM+FPGA+DSP的多级数据传输。4、设计并实现虚拟加速器。 从现场调试运行和验收的情况来看，大规模多级分布式数据交互系统不论从结构设计，还是软硬件设计开发都达到了设计要求

一种支持多种成本估算方法的估算集成工具的设计与开发

自上世纪60年代软件危机始，涌现了一大批软件成本估算理论和方法。单一的估算方法具有自身的优势和适用的估算环境。但不存在一种适应所有估算环境的估算方法。于是，集成各软件成本估算方法，以期适应各种软件成本估算环境，最大程度的利用各个软件估算方法的优势，提高估算的准确性和精确度，避免单一方法的局限性，是当前对软件成本估算方法学的有益补充。本文首先研究集成多种软件成本估算方法的模型。规范项目数据格式，自定义和配置成本驱动因子，集成多种规模方法，如代码行、等价代码、功能点等规模方法等，集成COCOMO公式估算、类比估算和COCOMO-U估算等估算方法，探讨了估算模型的估算流程。其次本文探讨如何开发基于上述模型的软件成本估算工具。本工具采用软件设计思想和技术有面向对象技术、插件体系、SWT技术、RCP技术、Hibernate技术和MVC设计思想等等。该软件成本估算工具面向估算工具的需求，立足现有的技术，力争提高工具的完整性、易用性、可靠性和可扩展性，为日后随着研究进一步深入而对工具的升级打下坚实的基础。本文提出的一种集成多估算方法模型，具有可扩展性，为深入理解软件成本估算，更好的控制软件成本打下了坚实的基础，并对估算方法如何发展提供了思路。在模型的基础上，本工具实现了多种估算方法的共存机制，能直接为估算活动服务，为工具的进一步演化发展奠定了基础，为用户提供了全面、准确、深入的软件成本估算。

Uso de XML para representação de interfaces com o usuário.

Estrutura da ferramenta ServCLIPS. Representação de interfaces com o usuário em XML.

Arquitetura de software para a manutenção de dados da Agência de Informação Embrapa.

A agencia de informação Embrapa disponibiliza na internet informação qualificada e organizada e, muitas vezes, também aquelas geradas pela própria Embrapa. As soluções de software esposta neste trabalho são dirigidas ao gerenciamento dessas informações, que são armazenadas em base de dados centralizada e atualizada via internet por aplicativos deste sistema. O objetivo de apresentar essas soluções é contribuir para o desenvolvimento de sistemas com orientação metodológica similar. Este sistema teve como principal identificação de requisitos as falhas existentes na primeira versão do mesmo, que foi orientada exclusivamente para manipulação de dados formatados em XML. A nova versão traz uma arquitetura baseada nas orientações Java 2 Enterprise Editon (J2EE): modelo em camadas (orientação Model View Controler-MVC), uso de containers e sistema gerenciador de banco de dados. O resultado é um sistema mais robusto em seu todo, além das melhorias de manutenabilidade. Termos para indexação:J2EE, XML, PDOM, Model view controller- MVC, Oracle.

Integrated vector management for malaria control in Uganda: knowledge, perceptions and policy development.

BACKGROUND: Integrated vector management (IVM) is increasingly being recommended as an option for sustainable malaria control. However, many malaria-endemic countries lack a policy framework to guide and promote the approach. The objective of the study was to assess knowledge and perceptions in relation to current malaria vector control policy and IVM in Uganda, and to make recommendations for consideration during future development of a specific IVM policy. METHODS: The study used a structured questionnaire to interview 34 individuals working at technical or policy-making levels in health, environment, agriculture and fisheries sectors. Specific questions on IVM focused on the following key elements of the approach: integration of chemical and non-chemical interventions of vector control; evidence-based decision making; inter-sectoral collaboration; capacity building; legislation; advocacy and community mobilization. RESULTS: All participants were familiar with the term IVM and knew various conventional malaria vector control (MVC) methods. Only 75% thought that Uganda had a MVC policy. Eighty percent (80%) felt there was inter-sectoral collaboration towards IVM, but that it was poor due to financial constraints, difficulties in involving all possible sectors and political differences. The health, environment and agricultural sectors were cited as key areas requiring cooperation in order for IVM to succeed. Sixty-seven percent (67%) of participants responded that communities were actively being involved in MVC, while 48% felt that the use of research results for evidence-based decision making was inadequate or poor. A majority of the participants felt that malaria research in Uganda was rarely used to facilitate policy changes. Suggestions by participants for formulation of specific and effective IVM policy included: revising the MVC policy and IVM-related policies in other sectors into a single, unified IVM policy and, using legislation to enforce IVM in development projects. CONCLUSION: Integrated management of malaria vectors in Uganda remains an underdeveloped component of malaria control policy. Cooperation between the health and other sectors needs strengthening and funding for MVC increased in order to develop and effectively implement an appropriate IVM policy. Continuous engagement of communities by government as well as monitoring and evaluation of vector control programmes will be crucial for sustaining IVM in the country.

The effect of simultaneous contractions of ipsilateral muscles on changes in corticospinal excitability induced by paired associative stimulation (PAS)

Consideration was given to means of increasing the reliability and muscle specificity of paired associative stimulation (PAS) by utilising the phenomenon of crossed-facilitation. Eight participants completed three separate sessions: isometric flexor contractions of the left wrist at 20% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) simultaneously with PAS (20s intervals; 14 min duration) delivered at the right median nerve and left primary motor cortex (MI); isometric contractions at 20% of MVC: and PAS only ( 14 min). Eight further participants completed two sessions of longer duration PAS (28 min): either alone or in conjunction with flexion contractions of the left wrist. Thirty motor potentials (MEPs) were evoked in the right flexor (rFCR) and extensor (rECR) carpi radialis muscles by magnetic stimulation of left M1 Prior to the interventions, immediately post-intervention, and 10 min post-intervention. Both 14 and 28 min of combined PAS and (left wrist flexion) contractions resulted in reliable increases in rFCR MEP amplitude, which were not present in rECR. In the PAS only conditions, 14 min of stimulation gave rise to unreliable increases in MEP amplitudes in rFCR and rECR, whereas 28 min of PAS induced small (unreliable) changes only for rFCR. These results support the conclusion that changes in the excitability of the corticospinal pathway induced by PAS interact with those associated with contraction of the muscles ipsilateral to the site of cortical stimulation. Furthermore, focal contractions applied by the opposite limb increase the extent and muscle specificity of the induced changes in excitability associated with PAS. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Neuromuscular adaptation during skill acquisition on a two degree-of-freedom target-acquisition task: Isometric torque production

In this study we attempted to identify the principles that govern the changes in neural control that occur during repeated performance of a multiarticular coordination task. Eight participants produced isometric flexion/extension and pronation/supination torques at the radiohumeral joint, either in isolation (e.g., flexion) or in combination (e.g., flexion - supination), to acquire targets presented by a visual display. A cursor superimposed on the display provided feedback of the applied torques. During pre- and postpractice tests, the participants acquired targets in eight directions located either 3.6 cm (20% maximal voluntary contraction [MVC]) or 7.2 cm (40% MVC) from a neutral cursor position. On each of five consecutive days of practice the participants acquired targets located 5.4 cm (30% MVC) from the neutral position. EMG was recorded from eight muscles contributing to torque production about the radiohumeral joint during the pre- and posttests. Target-acquisition time decreased significantly with practice in most target directions and at both target torque levels. These performance improvements were primarily associated with increases in the peak rate of torque development after practice. At a muscular level, these changes were brought about by increases in the rates of recruitment of all agonist muscles. The spatiotemporal organization of muscle synergies was not significantly altered after practice. The observed adaptations appear to lead to performances that are generalizable to actions that require both greater and smaller joint torques than that practiced, and may be successfully recalled after a substantial period without practice. These results suggest that tasks in which performance is improved by increasing the rate of muscle activation, and thus the rate of joint torque development, may benefit in terms of the extent to which acquired levels of performance are maintained over time.