hyDRaCAT Spectral Reflectance Library: Hyperspectral Field Spectroscopy and Field Spectro-Goniometry of Siberian and Alaskan Tundra

hyDRaCAT Spectral Reflectance Library for tundra provides the surface reflectance data and the bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) of important Arctic tundra vegetation communities at representative Siberian and Alaskan tundra sites. The aim of this dataset is the hyperspectral and spectro-directional reflectance characterization as basis for the extraction of vegetation parameters, and the normalization of BRDF effects in off-nadir and multi-temporal remote sensing data. The spectroscopic and field spectro-goniometric measurements were undertaken on the YAMAL2011 expedition of representative Siberian vegetation fields and on the North American Arctic Transect NAAT2012 expedition of Alaskan vegetation fields both belonging to the Greening-of-the-Arctic (GOA) program. For the field spectroscopy each 100 m2 vegetation study grid was divided into quadrats of 1 × 1 m. The averaged reflectance of all quadrats represents the spectral reflectance at the scale of the whole grid at the 10 × 10 m scale. For the surface radiometric measurements two GER1500 portable field spectroradiometers (Spectra Vista Corporation, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA) were used. The GER1500 measures radiance across the wavelength range of 350-1,050 nm, with sampling intervals of 1.5 nm and a radiance accuracy of 1.2 × 10**-1 W/cm**2/nm/sr. In order to increase the signal-to-noise ratio, 32 individual measurements were averaged per one target scan. To minimize variations in the target reflectance due to sun zenith angle changes, all measurements at one study location have been performed under similar sun zenith angles and during clear-sky conditions. The field spectrometer measurements were carried out with a GER1500 UV-VIS spectrometer The spectrogoniometer measurements were carried out with a self-designed spectro-goniometer: the Manual Transportable Instrument platform for ground-based Spectro-directional observations (ManTIS, patent publication number: DE 10 2011 117 713.A1). The ManTIS was equipped with the GER1500 spectrometer allowing spectro-directional measurements with up to 30° viewing zenith angle by full 360° viewing azimuth angles. Measurements in central Yamal (Siberia) at the research site 'Vaskiny Dachi' were carried out in the late summer phenological state from August 12 2011 to August 28 2011. All measurements in Alaska along the North South transect on the North Slope were taken between 29 June and 11 July 2012, ensuring that the vegetation was in the same phenological state near peak growing season.

Growth and characterization of ferroelectric glycine phosphite single crystals

Single crystals of a recent ferroelectric material, glycine phosphite were grown from aqueous solution employing the techniques of slow cooling and controlled evaporation. Powder X-ray diffraction studies as well as thermal analysis were carried out on the grown crystals. The morphology of the crystal has been determined using contact and optical goniometry. The mechanical hardness of the crystal was evaluated by Vickers indentation method. Thickness dependence of the dielectric properties has been investigated and the results can be interpreted in terms of a surface layer of lower dielectric constant.

Mapping joint ROM on a cube using electromagnetic trackers

This paper presents a unified framework using the unit cube for measurement, representation and usage of the range of motion (ROM) of body joints with multiple degrees of freedom (d.o.f) to be used for digital human models (DHM). Traditional goniometry needs skill and kn owledge; it is intrusive and has limited applicability for multi-d.o.f. joints. Measurements using motion capture systems often involve complicated mathematics which itself need validation. In this paper we use change of orientation as the measure of rotation; this definition does not require the identification of any fixed axis of rotation. A two-d.o.f. joint ROM can be represented as a Gaussian map. Spherical polygon representation of ROM, though popular, remains inaccurate, vulnerable due to singularities on parametric sphere and difficult to use for point classification. The unit cube representation overcomes these difficulties. In the work presented here, electromagnetic trackers have been effectively used for measuring the relative orientation of a body segment of interest with respect to another body segment. The orientation is then mapped on a surface gridded cube. As the body segment is moved, the grid cells visited are identified and visualized. Using the visual display as a feedback, the subject is instructed to cover as many grid cells as he can. In this way we get a connected patch of contiguous grid cells. The boundary of this patch represents the active ROM of the concerned joint. The tracker data is converted into the motion of a direction aligned with the axis of the segment and a rotation about this axis later on. The direction identifies the grid cells on the cube and rotation about the axis is represented as a range and visualized using color codes. Thus the present methodology provides a simple, intuitive and accura te determination and representation of up to 3 d.o.f. joints. Basic results are presented for the shoulder. The measurement scheme to be used for wrist and neck, and approach for estimation of the statistical distribution of ROM for a given population are also discussed.

Polyanhydrides of Castor Oil-Sebacic Acid for Controlled Release Applications

A family of high molecular weight castor oil (CO)-based biodegradable polyanhydrides was synthesized by a catalyst-free melt-condensation reaction between prepolymers of CO and sebacic acid (SA). The structure of the polymers was characterized by H-1 NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which indicated the formation of the anhydride bond along the polymer backbone. Thermal analysis and X-ray diffraction confirmed the semicrystalline nature of the polymers. Incorporation of SA enhanced the crystallinity of the polymer. The hydrophobic nature of these polymers was revealed by contact angle goniometry. Water wettability decreased with increase in SA content. Compressive tests demonstrated a sharp increase in strength and decrease in ductility with increasing SA content. In vitro hydrolytic degradation studies indicated surface-eroding behavior. The degradation rate decreased with an increase of SA content in the polymers because of increased crystallinity. The release studies of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic dyes followed zero-order kinetics. In vitro cell studies to assess the cytotoxicity of the polymer confirmed minimal toxicity of the degradation products. Thus, a family of CO-SA polyanhydrides have been synthesized and characterized for controlled release applications where the physical, mechanical, and degradation kinetics can be modulated by varying the weight fraction of the prepolymers.

A systematic review of evidence-based assessment practices by allied health practitioners for children with cerebral palsy

AIM: The routine use of psychometrically robust assessment tools is integral to best practice. This systematic review aims to determine the extent to which evidence-based assessment tools were used by allied health practitioners for children with cerebral palsy (CP).

METHOD: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocols 2015 was employed. A search strategy applied the free text terms: 'allied health practitioner', 'assessment', and 'cerebral palsy', and related subject headings to seven databases. Included articles reported assessment practices of occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or speech pathologists working with children with CP aged 0 to 18 years, published from the year 2000.

RESULTS: Fourteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Eighty-eight assessment tools were reported, of which 23 were in high use. Of these, three tools focused on gross motor function and had acceptable validity for use with children with CP: Gross Motor Function Measure, Gross Motor Function Classification System, and goniometry. Validated tools to assess other activity components, participation, quality of life, and pain were used infrequently or not at all.

INTERPRETATION: Allied health practitioners used only a few of the available evidence-based assessment tools. Assessment findings in many areas considered important by children and families were rarely documented using validated assessment tools.

Amplitude de mouvement du coude, développement d’une méthode de mesure radiographique et identification des facteurs influents.

L’instrument le plus fréquemment utilisé pour la mesure de l’amplitude de mouvement du coude est le goniomètre universel. Or celui-ci ne fait pas l’unanimité : plusieurs auteurs remettent en question sa fiabilité et validité. Cette étude détaille donc, en trois étapes, une alternative beaucoup plus précise et exacte : une méthode radiographique de mesure. Une étude de modélisation a d’abord permis de repérer les sources d’erreur potentielles de cette méthode radiographique, à ce jour jamais utilisée pour le coude. La méthode a ensuite servi à évaluer la validité du goniomètre. À cette fin, 51 volontaires ont participé à une étude clinique où les deux méthodes ont été confrontées. Finalement, la mesure radiographique a permis de lever le voile sur l’influence que peuvent avoir différents facteurs démographiques sur l’amplitude de mouvement du coude. La méthode radiographique s’est montrée robuste et certaines sources d’erreurs facilement évitables ont été identifiées. En ce qui concerne l’étude clinique, l’erreur de mesure attribuable au goniomètre était de ±10,3° lors de la mesure du coude en extension et de ±7,0° en flexion. L’étude a également révélé une association entre l’amplitude de mouvement et différents facteurs, dont les plus importants sont l’âge, le sexe, l’IMC et la circonférence du bras et de l’avant-bras. En conclusion, l’erreur du goniomètre peut être tolérée en clinique, mais son utilisation est cependant déconseillée en recherche, où une erreur de mesure de l’ordre de 10° est inacceptable. La méthode radiographique, étant plus précise et exacte, représente alors une bien meilleure alternative.

Goniometria dos membros pélvicos de pacas (Cuniculus paca) criadas em cativeiro

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Goniometria dos membros torácicos e pélvicos de ovinos em duas faixas etárias

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

Goniometric measurements of the forelimb and hindlimb joints in sheep

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

Efeito da espasticidade sobre os padrões lineares de marcha em hemiparéticos

INTRODUÇÃO: A hemiparesia após o acidente vascular encefálico (AVE) é a sequela mais frequente, prejudicando a velocidade de execução dos movimentos automáticos, diminuindo a autonomia do indivíduo e gerando incapacidade. OBJETIVOS: Analisar o efeito da espasticidade nos padrões lineares de marcha (PLM) em indivíduos hemiparéticos. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados dois grupos: 20 indivíduos com AVE (G1) e 20 indivíduos sadios, destros, sem sequela neurológica (G2), com média de idade de 54,2 e 52,6 anos respectivamente. Foram avaliados os PLM pelo protocolo de Nagazaki, o tônus muscular pela escala de Ashworth modificada e o arco de movimento por goniometria. Foi feita comparação dos parâmetros nos dois grupos pelo teste t de Student e correlação de Spearman com nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: A média da distância foi de 14,52 m e 32,16 m, e o tempo foi de 23,75 s e 19,02 s no G1 e G2 respectivamente (p < 0,0001). Na comparação entre os grupos, a amplitude média de passo e a velocidade média foram estatisticamente significantes (p < 0,05) e a cadência não mostrou significância (p = 0,1936). Quando os PLM foram comparados com o grau de espasticidade dos músculos gastrocnêmio e sóleo, mostraram associação negativa com distância, amplitude de passo e velocidade e associação positiva com o tempo (p < 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: Quanto maior o grau de espasticidade dos músculos gastrocnêmio e sóleo, menores serão os parâmetros lineares de marcha do indivíduo com sequela de hemiparesia pós-AVE.

Avaliação das limitações de úlcera venosa em membros inferiores

CONTEXTO: A insuficiência venosa crônica tem um impacto socioeconômico considerável nos países ocidentais devido à alta prevalência, custo das investigações e tratamento e à perda de dias trabalhados. O questionário de qualidade de vida Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), bem como a análise da ativação muscular e mobilidade da articulação tibiotársica, é um instrumento utilizado para a sua mensuração. OBJETIVO: Avaliar as limitações osteomusculares e as alterações na qualidade de vida em portadores de úlcera venosa em membros inferiores. MÉTODOS: Foram estudados dez pacientes com úlceras classificadas com Classificação de Doença Venosa Crônica (CEAP: Clinica, Eliologia, Anatomia e Fisiopatologia) 6, que responderam ao questionário SF36 e à escala analógica de dor e realizaram a goniometria, força muscular e eletromiografia. RESULTADOS: A idade média do grupo estudado foi 67,4 (±11,7), sendo 70% dos casos do sexo feminino. Não houve correlação significativa entre dor amplitude do movimento (ADM), força muscular, eletromiografia (EMG) e o tamanho da lesão. Entretanto, houve correlação entre o perfil psicológico do SF-36 e o domínio de atividades motoras, bem como do perfil psicológico com as atividades sociais e percepção de si mesmo. Também houve diferença significativa na avaliação eletromiográfica dos músculos estudados. CONCLUSÃO: A presença de úlcera venosa em membros inferiores pode gerar limitações e alterações na qualidade de vida destes indivíduos. O aspecto psicossocial demonstrou-se preponderante sobre o aspecto motor, aumentando as restrições nas atividades de vida diária.

Confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores nas mensurações angulares por fotogrametria digital e goniometria

INTRODUÇÃO: A utilização da fotogrametria computadorizada em prol da goniometria, ou vice-versa, na prática clínica ainda necessita de fundamentações consistentes. OBJETIVOS: Os objetivos deste estudo foram: verificar a confiabilidade inter e intraexaminadores avaliadores na quantificação das medidas angulares obtidas a partir da fotogrametria computadorizada e a goniometria e determinar a confiabilidade paralela entre esses dois diferentes instrumentos de avaliação. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: 26 voluntários e 4 examinadores foram utilizados no estudo. A coleta foi realizada em 4 etapas sequenciais: demarcação dos pontos anatômicos de referência, mensuração e registro dos valores goniométricos, captação da imagem do voluntário com os marcadores fixados no corpo e avaliação do registro fotográfico no programa ImageJ. RESULTADOS: O goniômetro é um instrumento confiável na maioria das evidências, porém, a confiabilidade das medições depende principalmente da uniformização dos procedimentos. Considerações metodológicas relativas ao estabelecimento de confiabilidade e padronização da colocação dos marcadores se fazem necessárias, de modo a oferecer opções de avaliação ainda mais confiáveis para a prática clínica. CONCLUSÃO: Ambos os instrumentos são confiáveis e aceitáveis, porém, mais evidências ainda são necessárias para suportar a utilização desses instrumentos, pois poucos pesquisadores têm utilizado o mesmo desenho de estudo, e a comparação dos resultados entre eles muitas vezes são difíceis.

Electromyographic behaviour of the gastrocnemius muscle during knee extension and flexion performed on the leg press

The gastrocnemius was analysed in 10 male volunteers during knee flexion and extension with the foot in normal, plantar flexion and dorsal flexion positions. Hewlett-Packard surface electrodes, an electromyographic signal amplifier, a computer equipped with an AID conversion plaque (Model CAD 10/26), a software specially designed to record and analyse the signals, a horizontal leg press, and electrogoniometers were used. The gastrocnemius muscle showed strong potentials at the end of knee extension and beginning of knee flexion. The muscle presented a similar activity both in the zipper and lower platforms. As to bilateral action, the right gastrocnemius presented stronger potentials on the upper platforms, whereas the potentials were bilaterally similar on the lower platforms. As for foot position, the gastrocnemius presented strong potentials when the foot was in plantar flexion. The remaining positions had no effect on the work of the muscle.

Bilateral Dorsal Subluxation of the Proximal Interphalangeal Joint of the Hind Limb in a Mare: Case Report

Subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint is a rare and little studied condition in horses. We describe the case of a 12-year-old mare with bilateral dorsal subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint of the hind feet. Tenectomy of the medial digital flexor was performed in both limbs, and the patient showed signs of recovery within 14 days. Goniometry of the proximal interphalangeal joints 10 months after surgery showed diminution of 5° for the proximal interphalangeal axis of the left hind limb. However, no change was found for the joint angle of the right limb. Even so, the patient's gait and radiographic results were normal, and clinical abnormalities such as joint clicking and swelling were no longer observed. © 2013 Elsevier Inc.