Measurement of multi-segment foot joint angles during gait using a wearable system.

Usually the measurement of multi-segment foot and ankle complex kinematics is done with stationary motion capture devices which are limited to use in a gait laboratory. This study aimed to propose and validate a wearable system to measure the foot and ankle complex joint angles during gait in daily conditions, and then to investigate its suitability for clinical evaluations. The foot and ankle complex consisted of four segments (shank, hindfoot, forefoot, and toes), with an inertial measurement unit (3D gyroscopes and 3D accelerometers) attached to each segment. The angles between the four segments were calculated in the sagittal, coronal, and transverse planes using a new algorithm combining strap-down integration and detection of low-acceleration instants. To validate the joint angles measured by the wearable system, three subjects walked on a treadmill for five minutes at three different speeds. A camera-based stationary system that used a cluster of markers on each segment was used as a reference. To test the suitability of the system for clinical evaluation, the joint angle ranges were compared between a group of 10 healthy subjects and a group of 12 patients with ankle osteoarthritis, during two 50-m walking trials where the wearable system was attached to each subject. On average, over all joints and walking speeds, the RMS differences and correlation coefficients between the angular curves obtained using the wearable system and the stationary system were 1 deg and 0.93, respectively. Moreover, this system was able to detect significant alteration of foot and ankle function between the group of patients with ankle osteoarthritis and the group of healthy subjects. In conclusion, this wearable system was accurate and suitable for clinical evaluation when used to measure the multi-segment foot and ankle complex kinematics during long-distance walks in daily life conditions.

Treatment of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, a permanent challenge or a waste of resources? Prediction of outcome using a multi-organ-dysfunction score.

OBJECTIVES: in a retrospective study, attempts have been made to identify individual organ-dysfunction risk profiles influencing the outcome after surgery for ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysms. METHODS: out of 235 patients undergoing graft replacement for abdominal aortic aneurysms, 57 (53 men, four women, mean age 72 years [s.d. 8.8]) were treated for ruptured aneurysms in a 3-year period. Forty-eight preoperative, 13 intraoperative and 34 postoperative variables were evaluated statistically. A simple multi-organ dysfunction (MOD) score was adopted. RESULTS: the perioperative mortality was 32%. Three patients died intraoperatively, four within 48 h and 11 died later. A significant influence for pre-existing risk factors was identified only for cardiovascular diseases. Multiple linear-regression analysis indicated that a haemoglobin <90 g/l, systolic blood pressure <80 mmHg and ECG signs of ischaemia at admission were highly significant risk factors. The cause of death for patients, who died more than 48 h postoperatively, was mainly MOD. All patients with a MOD score >/=4 died (n=7). These patients required 27% of the intensive-care unit (ICU) days of all patients and 72% of the ICU days of the non-survivors. CONCLUSION: patients with ruptured aortic aneurysms from treatment should not be excluded. However, a physiological scoring system after 48 h appears justifiable in order to decide on the appropriateness of continual ICU support.

La formació competencial dels llicenciats en economia i empresa: una visió des del seu entorn professional

La recerca que es presenta té com a objectiu enfocar una de les arrels de la manca de rendiment laboral dels treballadors: la formació que han rebut, en particular aquells que han seguit una trajectòria universitària. Per dur-ho a terme s"ha valorat l"encaix entre el marc didàctic i les competències que s"exigeixen als alumnes a l"hora d"incorporar-se al mercat de treball. S"ha partit d"una enquesta a persones acabades de llicenciar de la Facultat d"Economia de la Universitat de Barcelona, a docents d"aquesta mateixa Facultat i a empresaris. A partir dels resultats obtinguts s"ha fet una anàlisi de la situació dels joves treballadors en termes de competències instrumentals, interpersonals i professionals, centrada exclusivament en la percepció dels empresaris. Segons les conclusions, una planificació de la docència més centrada en l"estudiant, des del punt de vista de la seva formació integral, pot contribuir de forma essencial a incrementar la seva futura productivitat laboral.

The protracted Permo-Triassic crisis and multi-episode extinction around the Permian-Triassic boundary

The Permo-Triassic crisis was a major turning point in geological history. Following the end-Guadalupian extinction phase, the Palaeozoic biota underwent a steady decline through the Lopingian (Late Permian), resulting in their decimation at the level that is adopted as the Permian-Triassic boundary (PTB). This trend coincided with the greatest Phanerozoic regression. The extinction at the end of the Guadalupian and that marking the end of the Permian are therefore related. The subsequent recovery of the biota occupied the whole of the Early Triassic. Several phases of perturbations in [delta]13Ccarb occurred through a similar period, from the late Wuchiapingian to the end of the Early Triassic. Therefore, the Permian-Triassic crisis was protracted, and spanned Late Permian and Early Triassic time. The extinction associated with the PTB occurred in two episodes, the main act with a prelude and the epilogue. The prelude commenced prior to beds 25 and 26 at Meishan and coincided with the end-Permian regression. The main act itself happened in beds 25 and 26 at Meishan. The epilogue occurred in the late Griesbachian and coincided with the second volcanogenic layer (bed 28) at Meishan. The temporal distribution of these episodes constrains the interpretation of mechanisms responsible for the greatest Phanerozoic mass extinction, particularly the significance of a postulated bolide impact that to our view may have occurred about 50,000[no-break space]Myr after the prelude. The prolonged and multi-phase nature of the Permo-Triassic crisis favours the mechanisms of the Earth's intrinsic evolution rather than extraterrestrial catastrophe. The most significant regression in the Phanerozoic, the palaeomagnetic disturbance of the Permo-Triassic Mixed Superchron, widespread extensive volcanism, and other events, may all be related, through deep-seated processes that occurred during the integration of Pangea. These combined processes could be responsible for the profound changes in marine, terrestrial and atmospheric environments that resulted in the end-Permian mass extinction. Bolide impact is possible but is neither an adequate nor a necessary explanation for these changes.

Laboratory Evaluation of Polymer and Multi-Grade Asphalt Binders, MLR-90-5, 1992

A number of claims have been made that polymer modified asphalt cements, multi-grade asphalt cements, and other modifications of the liquid asphalt will prevent rutting and other deterioration of asphalt mixes, thereby, extending the service life of asphalt pavements. This laboratory study evaluates regular AC-20 asphalt cement, PAC-30 polymer modified asphalt cement and AC-10-30 multi-grade asphalt cement. PAC-30 was also evaluated with 15% Gilsonite and 15% Witcurb in a 75% crushed stone - 25% sand mix. These mixtures were evaluated for all Marshall properties along with indirect tensile, resilient modulus, and creep resistance.

Ascending aorta measurements as assessed by ECG-gated multi-detector computed tomography: a pilot study to establish normative values for transcatheter therapies

The aim of this study was to provide an insight into normative values of the ascending aorta in regards to novel endovascular procedures using ECG-gated multi-detector CT angiography. Seventy-seven adult patients without ascending aortic abnormalities were evaluated. Measurements at relevant levels of the aortic root and ascending aorta were obtained. Diameter variations of the ascending aorta during cardiac cycle were also considered. Mean diameters (mm) were as follows: LV outflow tract 20.3 +/- 3.4, coronary sinus 34.2 +/- 4.1, sino-tubular junction 29.7 +/- 3.4 and mid ascending aorta 32.7 +/- 3.8 with coefficients of variation (CV) ranging from 12 to 17%. Mean distances (mm) were: from the plane passing through the proximal insertions of the aortic valve cusps to the right brachio-cephalic artery (BCA) 92.6 +/- 11.8, from the plane passing through the proximal insertions of the aortic valve cusps to the proximal coronary ostium 12.1 +/- 3.7, and between both coronary ostia 7.2 +/- 3.1, minimal arc of the ascending aorta from left coronary ostium to right BCA 52.9 +/- 9.5, and the fibrous continuity between the aortic valve and the anterior leaflet of the mitral valve 14.6 +/- 3.3, CV 13-43%. Mean aortic valve area was 582.0 +/- 131.9 mm(2). The variation of the antero-posterior and transverse diameters of the ascending aorta during the cardiac cycle were 8.4% and 7.3%, respectively. Results showed large inter-individual variations in diameters and distances but with limited intra-individual variations during the cardiac cycle. A personalized approach for planning endovascular devices must be considered.

Serveis d'informació professional

La elección de profesión es una de las decisiones más importantes que una persona debe tomar. De dicha elección dependen otros aspectos de la vida. La elección con conocimiento de causa debe estar precedida de una información detallada. Por eso la información profesional debería ser una actividad habitual en los centros educativos. La planificación de los servicios de información profesional tiene que seguir un proceso ordenado. En primer lugar es preciso conocer unas bases teóricas y metodológicas que fundamenten todo tipo de actividad. En segundo lugar es preciso realizar un estudio del contexto sociolaboral y del nivel educativo al cual va dirigido el programa de actividades de información profesional. De todo esto se derivan unas necesidades, tanto de parte de los alumnos como del centro y de los padres, que configuran unos objetivos a conseguir para satisfacer esas necesidades. Para la planificación de actividades encaminadas a conseguir objetivos, es preciso determinar unos contenidos sobre estudios, profesiones, estructura del sistema educativo, becas, etc. Es conveniente conocer las fuentes informativas; aplicar técnicas y conocer la situación del mundo laboral y el mercado de trabajo. Al final de un programa de actividades conviene evaluar lo que se ha hecho y su incidencia como feed-back para futuras experiencias.

El disseny d'uns quaderns de pràcticum des de la millora docent i el treball corresponsable per la transferència de competències i desenvolupament professional

Aquest article vol oferir un exemple de treball innovador basat en una recerca acció per a la construcció d'un procés educatiu orientat a l'acompanyament de l'alumnat en les pràctiques externes en l'ensenyament d'Educació Social de la Universitat de Barcelona. En primer terme, presentem els referents conceptuals en els quals s'emmarquen els aprenentatges del Pràcticum. En segon lloc, aprofundim en la metodologia de la recerca sobre la reflexió de la pràctica docent duta a terme en el marc d'un projecte d'innovació docent (2008MQD155) per analitzar, aclarir i promoure les competències i condicions necessàries perquè s'esdevingui el procés d'aprenentatge. Seguidament, es presenten com a resultat de la recerca uns quaderns adreçats als agents implicats en el procés del Pràcticum, que volen donar suport a la funció docent. Finalment, s'aporten conclusions, reflexions i interrogants sobre el que ha suposat l'elaboració conjunta dels quaderns de Pràcticum, amb el propòsit d'afavorir la transferència a altres realitats educatives d'educació superior.

El desenvolupament professional dels docents des de la perspectiva del professorat

Aquest article, en la seva primera part, presenta una revisió crítica sobre els elements que configuren l'actual debat sobre el professionalisme dels docents. Seguidament s'informa dels resultats d'una investigació sobre Desenvolupament Professional. Destaca l'interès per revisar i conèixer les perspectives sobre desenvolupament professional dels professors i professores de tots els nivells educatius.

Models de desenvolupament professional del professor

L'article recull les últimes revisions sobre els models de desenvolupament professional des d'una perspectiva actual i globalitzadora del tema. Exposa cinc models de desenvolupament professional: a) guiat individualment, b) basat en l'observació/evaluació, c)basat en la preparació (formació), d) basat en la implicació en processos de desenvolupament/millora, i e) basat en la indagació. Acaba recollint la proposta del MEC sobre la formació del professorat, dins del nostre context.

Statistical assessment of dataset shift and model portability in multi-angle in-track image acquisitions

In this study we propose an evaluation of the angular effects altering the spectral response of the land-cover over multi-angle remote sensing image acquisitions. The shift in the statistical distribution of the pixels observed in an in-track sequence of WorldView-2 images is analyzed by means of a kernel-based measure of distance between probability distributions. Afterwards, the portability of supervised classifiers across the sequence is investigated by looking at the evolution of the classification accuracy with respect to the changing observation angle. In this context, the efficiency of various physically and statistically based preprocessing methods in obtaining angle-invariant data spaces is compared and possible synergies are discussed.

Chaotic dynamics and team effectiveness: evidence from professional basketball

Considering teams as complex adaptive systems (CAS) this study deals with changes in team effectiveness over time in a specific context: professional basketball. The sample comprised 23 basketball teams whose outcomes were analysed over a 12-year period according to two objective measures. The results reveal that all the teams showed chaotic dynamics, one of the key characteristics of CAS. A relationship was also found between teams showing low-dimensional chaotic dynamics and better outcomes, supporting the idea of healthy variability in organizational behaviour. The stability of the squad was likewise found to influence team outcomes, although it was not associated with the chaotic dynamics in team effectiveness. It is concluded that studying teams as CAS enables fluctuations in team effectiveness to be explained, and that the techniques derived from nonlinear dynamical systems, developed specifically for the study of CAS, are useful for this purpose.

Comparative study of the LC-MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS for the multi-residue analysis of quinolones, penicillins and cephalosporins in cow milk, and validation according to the regulation 2002/657/EC

The aim of this study was to develop and validate an analytical method to simultaneously determine European Union-regulated beta-lactams (penicillins and cephalosporins) and quinolones in cow milk. The procedure involves a new solid phase extraction (SPE) to clean-up and pre-concentrate the three series of antibiotics before analysis by liquid chromatography¿tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography¿tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). LC-MS/MS and UPLC-MS/MS techniques were also compared. The method was validated according to the Directive 2002/657/EC and subsequently applied to 56 samples of raw cow milk supplied by the Laboratori Interprofessional Lleter de Catalunya (ALLIC) (Laboratori Interprofessional Lleter de Catalunya, Control Laboratory Interprofessional of Milk of Catalunya).

Aufftrittsangst : kardiorespiratorische Aktivität bei ängstlichen und nichtängstlichen Musikstudenten in einer Auftrittssituation = Performance anxiety : cardiorespiratory activity in high- and low-anxious professional music students in a performance situation

Fragebogenstudien haben gezeigt, dass ängstliche Musiker vor und/oder während eines Auftritts möglicherweise unter Hyperventilationssymptomen leiden. Berichtete Symptome beinhalten Kurzatmigkeit, schnelles oder tiefes Einatmen, Schwindelgefühl und Herzklopfen. Bisher hat jedoch noch keine Studie getestet, ob diese selbstberichteten Symptome tatsächlich kardiorespiratorische Veränderungen widerspiegeln. Das Hauptziel dieser Studie ist es, zu bestimmen, ob sich Auftrittsangst bei Musikern physiologisch über kardiorespiratorische Muster äußert. Wir haben insgesamt 74 Musikstudenten von Schweizer Musikhochschulen getestet. Diese Studenten wurden aufgrund ihrer selbstberichteten Auftrittsangst (STAI-S) in zwei Gruppen unterteilt: ängstliche Musiker und nichtängstliche Musiker. Die Studenten wurden in drei unterschiedlichen Situationen getestet: Ausgangszustand, Auftritt ohne Publikum, Auftritt mit Publikum. Wir haben folgende Parameter gemessen: a) kardiorespiratorische Muster und endexpiratorisches CO2, welches eine gute nichtinvasive Schätzung des Hyperventilationsgrades liefert und b) subjektiv wahrgenommene Emotionen und subjektiv wahrgenommene physiologische Aktivität. Das Poster zeigt die ersten Resultate der 15 ängstlichsten und der 15 am wenigsten ängstlichen Musiker. Das Hauptinteresse gilt den folgenden Punkten: Herz- und Atemfrequenz, subjektiv wahrgenommenes Herzklopfen, subjektiv wahrgenommene Kurzatmigkeit und subjektiv wahrgenommenes Angstgefühl. Die Resultate dieser Studie zeigen erstens, dass ängstliche und nichtängstliche Musikstudenten zu den verschiedenen Messzeitpunkten eine vergleichbare physiologische Aktivität aufweisen und zweitens, dass ängstliche Musikstudenten ein signifikant höheres Angstgefühl haben und signifikant mehr Herzklopfen und Kurzatmigkeit wahrnehmen vor und/oder während eines Auftritts mit Publikum. Dies deutet darauf hin, dass sich ängstliche und nichtängstliche Musikstudenten a) bezüglich der subjektiv wahrgenommenen physiologischen Symptome und des selbst berichteten Angstgefühls vor und/oder während eines öffentlichen Auftritts unterscheiden und sich b) bezüglich der untersuchten physiologischen Reaktionen nicht unterscheiden.