Kinetics and kinematics analysis of incremental cycling to exhaustion

Technique changes in cyclists are not well described during exhaustive exercise. Therefore the aim of the present study was to analyze pedaling technique during an incremental cycling test to exhaustion. Eleven cyclists performed an incremental cycling test to exhaustion. Pedal force and joint kinematics were acquired during the last three stages of the test (75%, 90% and 100% of the maximal power output). Inverse dynamics was conducted to calculate the net joint moments at the hip, knee and ankle joints. Knee joint had an increased contribution to the total net joint moments with the increase of workload (5-8% increase, p < 0.01). Total average absolute joint moment and knee joint moment increased during the test (25% and 39%, for p < 0.01, respectively). Increases in plantar flexor moment (32%, p < 0.01), knee (54%, p < 0.01) and hip flexor moments (42%, p = 0.02) were found. Higher dorsiflexion (2%, for p = 0.03) and increased range of motion (19%, for p = 0.02) were observed for the ankle joint. The hip joint had an increased flexion angle (2%, for p < 0.01) and a reduced range of motion (3%, for p = 0.04) with the increase of workload. Differences in joint kinetics and kinematics indicate that pedaling technique was affected by the combined fatigue and workload effects.     

Decentralized neural identification and control for uncertain nonlinear systems: Application to planar robot

This paper presents a discrete-time decentralized neural identification and control for large-scale uncertain nonlinear systems, which is developed using recurrent high order neural networks (RHONN); the neural network learning algorithm uses an extended Kalman filter (EKF). The discrete-time control law proposed is based on block control and sliding mode techniques. The control algorithm is first simulated, and then implemented in real time for a two degree of freedom (DOF) planar robot.     

The filmmaker as activist

ABSTRACT

This study is focused on those filmmakers who make films as a way of fighting to defend human rights. I look in particular in this article at their activist role in the process of documenting human rights abuses in contemporary film projects that explore the aftermath of genocide. In Asia, we can find two examples: the anticommunist genocide in Indonesia in 1965–66 and the genocide perpetrated by the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia in 1975–79. Two contemporary filmmakers have produced works that recover the history of the atrocities: Joshua Oppenheimer and Rithy Panh. Traditionally, filmmakers have formed relationships only with victims; however, this article shows how the involvement of the perpetrators is also necessary to fully understand the conflict. This article explores why filmmakers decide to engage with the perpetrators, how they get them to participate, and what the consequences of this process may be. Since Oppenheimer’s involvement with his protagonist, Anwar Congo, in The Act of Killing (2012) turns out especially problematic, exploring this relationship in depth is the central purpose of this article.     

Independent and joint associations of physical activity and fitness with fibromyalgia symptoms and severity: The al-Ándalus project

We examined independent and joint associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA) and physical fitness (PF) with pain, fatigue and the overall impact of fibromyalgia in 386 fibromyalgia women aged 51.2 ± 7.6 years. Levels of PA (light, moderate and vigorous) and PF were measured with triaxial accelerometry and the Senior Fitness Test, respectively. We used the Short-Form health survey-36 pain sub-scale and the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory to assess pain and multiple dimensions of fatigue, respectively. The impact of fibromyalgia was studied with the Revised Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQR). Both, total PA and global PF were independently associated with pain pressure threshold, SF-36 pain, reduced activity, reduced motivation and FIQR total score (all, P ≤ 0.027). The associations between total PA and symptoms were weaker than those observed between global PF and symptoms. Overall, unfit patients with low PA showed a worse profile that fit patients with high PA (all, P ≤ 0.001). In summary, PA and PF are independently associated with pain, fatigue and the overall impact of fibromyalgia in women. Although PF presented greater associations with symptoms, the results suggest that both being physically active and keep adequate fitness levels might be convenient for fibromyalgia women.     

Associations of physical activity,sedentary time,and physical fitness with mental health during pregnancy: The GESTAFIT project

PurposeThis study was aimed to analyze the associations of objectively measured physical activity (PA), sedentary time, and physical fitness with mental health in the early second trimester (16 ± 2 gestational weeks) of pregnancy.MethodsFrom 229 women initially contacted, 124 pregnant women participated in the present cross-sectional study. Data were collected between November 2015 and March 2017. The participants wore Actigraph GT3X+ Triaxial accelerometers for 9 consecutive days to objectively measure their PA levels and sedentary time. A performance-based test battery was used to measure physical fitness. Self-report questionnaires assessed psychological ill-being (i.e., negative affect, anxiety, and depression), and psychological well-being (i.e., emotional intelligence, resilience, and positive affect). Linear regression analyses were adjusted for age, educational level, accelerometer wear time, miscarriages, and low back pain.ResultsModerate-to-vigorous PA was negatively associated with depression (β = –0.222, adjusted R² = 0.050, p = 0.041). Higher levels of sedentary time were negatively associated with positive affect (β = –0.260, adjusted R² = 0.085, p = 0.017). Greater upper-body flexibility was positively associated with better emotional regulation (β = 0.195, adjusted R²= 0.030, p = 0.047). The remaining associations were not significant (all p > 0.05).ConclusionAn active lifestyle characterized by higher levels of moderate-to-vigorous PA and lower levels of sedentary time during pregnancy might modestly improve the mental health of pregnant women. Although previous research has focused on the benefits of cardiorespiratory exercise, the present study shows that only upper-body flexibility is related to emotional regulation in early pregnant women. If the present findings are corroborated in further experimental research, physical exercise programs should focus on enhancing flexibility to promote improvements in emotional regulation during early second-trimester of pregnancy.     

Developing Teaching-Specific Spanish Competencies in Bilingual Teacher Education: Toward a Culturally,Linguistically, and Professionally Relevant Approach

The emergence of K-12 bilingual/dual-language schools¹¹ Although we recognize the distinction between “dynamic” forms of bilingualism characteristic of bilingual education programs and “compartmentalized” forms generally characteristic of “dual-language” programs (García, 2014), in this article we employ the term “bilingual/dual-language education” to include both programmatic approaches and to reclaim the term “bilingual.”View all notes in the United States require bilingual teacher education programs across the nation continue to “build on the language strengths”²² See Zentella (2005).View all notes of bilingual teacher candidates and provide them with ample opportunities to acquire the language competencies needed for teaching content-area knowledge across the bilingual curriculum. Although the need to prepare linguistically qualified bilingual/dual-language teachers is relevant to all language programs comprising the bilingual teacher education field, in this article the authors describe a culturally, linguistically, and professionally relevant approach for developing the teaching-specific Spanish language competencies of future bilingual teachers. Educating the new generation of linguistically qualified bilingual educators calls for an engaged and responsive pedagogy that will prepare teachers to orchestrate K-12 teaching and learning experiences where languages (Spanish, in this particular case) function as multidimensional bodies encompassing and empowering the cultures and funds of knowledge teachers and students bring to the classroom.     

Material Weathering and Structural Damage in Historic Adobe Constructions in Spain: Preliminary Results of a Quantitative Approach

ABSTRACT

This article presents the study of the main phenomena of material weathering and structural damage that affect traditional architecture built in adobe, analysing the damage found in 553 case studies, representative of different technical varieties of adobe construction in Spain. The analysis methodology proposed in this text made it possible to quantify and identify the risks of damage appearing, establishing its impact and identifying its main mechanisms and causes. At the same time, the behaviour of adobe construction systems was further studied, observing how specific modifications in technique can promote or hinder deterioration and establishing the probable causes of the different responses to these phenomena.     

Muscle activity and pedal force profile of triathletes during cycling to exhaustion

The purpose of this study was to analyze pedaling cadence, pedal forces, and muscle activation of triathletes during cycling to exhaustion. Fourteen triathletes were assessed at the power output level relative to their maximal oxygen uptake (355 +/- 23 W). Cadence, pedal forces, and muscle activation were analyzed during start, middle, and end test stages. Normal and tangential forces increased from the start to the end of the test (-288 +/- 33 to -352 +/- 42 N and -79 +/- 45 to -124 +/- 68 N, respectively) accompanied by a decrease in cadence (96 +/- 5 to 86 +/- 6 rpm). Muscle activation increased from the start to the middle and the end in the gluteus maximus (27 +/- 5.5% and 76 +/- 9.3%) and in the vastus lateralis (13 +/- 3.5% and 27 +/- 4.4%), similar increase was observed from the start to the end in the rectus femoris and the vastus medialis (50 +/- 9.3% and 20 +/- 5.7%, respectively). Greater normal force along with enhanced activation of knee and hip extensor muscles is linked with fatigue and declines in cadence of triathletes during cycling to exhaustion.     

Inverse optimal neural control of blood glucose level for type 1 diabetes mellitus patients

In this paper, inverse optimal neural control for trajectory tracking is applied to glycemic control of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) patients. The proposed control law calculates the adequate insulin delivery rate in order to prevent hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia levels in T1DM patients. Two models are used: (1) a nonlinear compartmental model in order to obtain type 1 diabetes mellitus virtual patient behavior, and (2) a neural model obtained from an on-line neural identifier, which uses a recurrent neural network, trained with the extended Kalman filter (EKF); the last one allows the applicability of an inverse optimal neural controller. The proposed algorithm is tuned to track a desired trajectory; this trajectory reproduces the glucose absorption of a healthy person. The applicability of the proposed control scheme is illustrated via simulations.     

Identification of histological threshold concepts in health sciences curricula: Students' perception

Students' metacognitive skills and perceptions are considered important variables for high-quality learning. In this study, students' perceptions were used to identify histological threshold concepts (integrative, irreversible, transformative, and troublesome) in three health sciences curricula. A specific questionnaire was developed and validated to characterize students' perceptions of histological threshold concepts. A sample of 410 undergraduate students enrolled in the dentistry, medicine, and pharmacy degree programs participated in the study. Concepts assessed in the study were clustered to ten categories (factors) by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Concepts linked to tissue organization and tissue functional states received the highest scores from students in all degree programs, suggesting that the process of learning histology requires the integration of both static concepts related to the constituent elements of tissues and dynamic concepts such as stem cells as a tissue renewal substrate, or the euplasic, proplasic and retroplasic states of tissues. The complexity of integrating static and dynamic concepts may pose a challenging barrier to the comprehension of histology. In addition, several differences were detected among the students in different degree programs. Dentistry students more often perceived morphostructural concepts as threshold concepts, whereas medical students highlighted concepts related to two-dimensional microscopic identification. Lastly, pharmacy students identified concepts related to tissue general activity as critical for the comprehension and learning of histology. The identification of threshold concepts through students' perceptions is potentially useful to improve the teaching and learning process in health sciences curricula.