A wearable system for biosignal monitoring in weightlifting

The use of technological aids in sports has increased in the last years. These tools allow to register the athletes’ movements to evaluate and track their performance over time. With that information, it is possible to design more effective training routines, prevent and treat injuries, and improve performance. This paper describes the design and construction of an electronic system to register joint angle and electromyography signals during the execution of weightlifting exercises. The system was designed to be unobtrusive, energy efficient, and low cost. It was evaluated during the execution of flexion/extension exercises of the arm with weights, and was effective to acquire the signals and transmit them wirelessly in real-time. Electromiography signals were visualized and analyzed with an adequate dynamic range, and angle measurements were performed with error percentages less than 0.8 %.     

An optically transparent membrane supports shear stress studies in a three-dimensional microfluidic neurovascular unit model

We report a microfluidic blood-brain barrier model that enables both physiological shear stress and optical transparency throughout the device. Brain endothelial cells grown in an optically transparent membrane-integrated microfluidic device were able to withstand physiological fluid shear stress using a hydrophilized polytetrafluoroethylene nanoporous membrane instead of the more commonly used polyester membrane. A functional three-dimensional microfluidic co-culture model of the neurovascular unit is presented that incorporates astrocytes in a 3D hydrogel and enables physiological shear stress on the membrane-supported endothelial cell layer.     

Real-time output trajectory tracking neural sliding mode controller for induction motors

This paper deals with real-time discrete adaptive output trajectory tracking for induction motors in the presence of bounded disturbances. A recurrent high order neural network structure is used to design a nonlinear observer and based on this model, a discrete-time control law is derived, which combines discrete-time block control and sliding modes techniques. Applicability of the scheme is illustrated via experimental results in real-time for a three phase induction motor.     

Determinants and patterns of physical activity practice among Spanish university students

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of physical activity practice, as well as the motivations for being or not being physically active in Spanish university students. A representative sample of students from a Spanish university (n = 2,051; 42.1% males; mean age 21.9, s = 4.8 years) participated in the present cross-sectional study. A questionnaire including questions regarding lifestyle, dietary habits, parents' characteristics, and physical activity habits was administered to the students. The socio-demographic and lifestyle determinants of physical activity practice were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. 68.4% of men and 48.4% of women reported to practise physical activity in the present sample. Those who practised physical activity consumed more fruits and were less likely to be smokers compared to non-physically active students. Also, physically inactive men spent more time in front of the computer and physically inactive women spent more time in front of the TV and were more likely to be frequent alcohol consumers. Maternal educational level and maternal physical activity habits were also important determinants of physical activity practice among men and women respectively. In conclusion, physically active students tended to engage in other healthy habits in the present population, suggesting the clustering of healthy or unhealthy lifestyle factors among specific subgroups.     

Peer–led Approaches to Care

In this paper the reasons for and research on the importance of peer–led approaches to care are explored. Examples of peer–led approaches are explored and these include peer–led pastoral care systems and initiatives such as befriending, circle of friends and peer mediation. Finally the development of resilient schools is discussed and the necessary context of peer–led approaches examined.     

A longitudinal analysis of the alignment between children’s early word-level reading trajectories,teachers’ reported concerns and supports provided

Reading and Writing - In this longitudinal study, the word-level reading trajectories of 118 children were tracked alongside teachers’ reported concerns and types of support provided through...     

Examining the Effectiveness of a Professional Development Program: Integration of Educational Robotics into Science and Mathematics Curricula

Journal of Science Education and Technology - This study describes a professional development (PD) program designed to support middle school teachers in effectively integrating robotics in science...     

Drawing Conclusions from New Media Research: Reflections and Puzzles Regarding Children's Experience of the Internet

New media studies are now benefiting from a burgeoning of empirical studies and theoretical analyses from diverse academic disciplines seeking to locate new media, especially the Internet, within longstanding traditions of social science research. By reviewing and reflecting upon findings from UK Children Go Online, a multimethod research project examining the role of the Internet in children's and young people's everyday lives, the present article takes the opportunity to draw out some general conclusions, and associated puzzles, to guide future research. These contribute toward an emerging framework for understanding questions regarding new media access, use, and consequences within the social, cultural, and political parameters of young people's lives. A range of research findings are discussed that illuminate the shifting balance of opportunities and risks posed by the Internet for children, youth, and the family.