Two different methods for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to eye-head coordination in infants

BACKGROUND: Kinematic analysis is a method for quantitative assessment applied in different fields of study. In the field of motor development, this analysis may promote better understanding of the acquisition and development of motor skills. OBJECTIVE: To develop and compare two experimental set-ups for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to eye-head coordination (EHC) in infants. METHODS: Two experimental set-ups (A and B) were tested. They differed from each other regarding the numbers and locations of the cameras, and regarding the volume of the calibration system. RESULTS: The accuracy of the two experimental set-ups was 2.47mm, thus indicating that both can provide realistic reconstructions of the movement. The three cameras used in set-up B made it possible to view the full range of motion with at least one of the cameras. This led to improvement of the qualitative analysis and reduction of the time taken to process quantitative data, which was 33% shorter than seen with set-up A. In addition, set-up B presented a better cost-benefit relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Although both set-ups were adequate for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to EHC in infants, set-up B is more advantageous. The methodology for set-up B can be used in studies investigating head movements in either typical or atypical infants. The results from such studies could be used to complement assessments on at-risk infants and consequently could assist in implementing early interventions.CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A análise cinemática é um método de avaliação quantitativa empregada em diferentes áreas de estudo. Na área do desenvolvimento motor, essa análise pode proporcionar uma melhor compreensão da aquisição e do desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras. OBJETIVOS: Desenvolver e comparar dois arranjos experimentais para análise cinemática dos movimentos de cabeça durante a coordenação viso-cefálica (CVC) em lactentes. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram testados dois arranjos experimentais (A e B) que diferiam quanto ao número e posicionamento das câmeras, bem como quanto ao volume do sistema de calibração. RESULTADOS: A acurácia dos dois arranjos experimentais foi de 2,47mm, indicando que ambos podem fornecer uma reconstrução verossímil do movimento. As três câmeras usadas no arranjo B favoreceram a visualização de toda a amplitude do movimento por pelo menos uma das câmeras. Isso levou à melhora da análise qualitativa e à redução do tempo de processamento dos dados quantitativos, reduzindo-o em 33% quando comparado ao arranjo A. Além disso, o arranjo B apresentou melhor relação custo-benefício. CONCLUSÕES: Ambos os arranjos são adequados para a análise cinemática dos movimentos de cabeça durante a CVC de lactentes, entretanto, o arranjo B é mais vantajoso. A metodologia do arranjo B pode ser empregada em estudos que investigam o movimento de cabeça de lactentes, sejam eles típicos ou atípicos. Os resultados de tais estudos poderão ser empregados para complementar a avaliação de lactentes de risco e, conseqüentemente, auxiliar na intervenção precoce destes.Universidade Federal de São Carlos Departamento de Fisioterapia Setor de NeuropediatriaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Ciências da SaúdeUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Faculdade de Educação Física Laboratório de Instrumentação BiomecânicaUNIFESP, Depto. de Ciências da SaúdeSciEL

Two different methods for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to eye-head coordination in infants

BACKGROUND: Kinematic analysis is a method for quantitative assessment applied in different fields of study. In the field of motor development, this analysis may promote better understanding of the acquisition and development of motor skills. OBJECTIVE: To develop and compare two experimental set-ups for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to eye-head coordination (EHC) in infants. METHODS: Two experimental set-ups (A and B) were tested. They differed from each other regarding the numbers and locations of the cameras, and regarding the volume of the calibration system. RESULTS: The accuracy of the two experimental set-ups was 2.47mm, thus indicating that both can provide realistic reconstructions of the movement. The three cameras used in set-up B made it possible to view the full range of motion with at least one of the cameras. This led to improvement of the qualitative analysis and reduction of the time taken to process quantitative data, which was 33% shorter than seen with set-up A. In addition, set-up B presented a better cost-benefit relationship. CONCLUSIONS: Although both set-ups were adequate for kinematic analysis of head movements relating to EHC in infants, set-up B is more advantageous. The methodology for set-up B can be used in studies investigating head movements in either typical or atypical infants. The results from such studies could be used to complement assessments on at-risk infants and consequently could assist in implementing early interventions.CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A análise cinemática é um método de avaliação quantitativa empregada em diferentes áreas de estudo. Na área do desenvolvimento motor, essa análise pode proporcionar uma melhor compreensão da aquisição e do desenvolvimento das habilidades motoras. OBJETIVOS: Desenvolver e comparar dois arranjos experimentais para análise cinemática dos movimentos de cabeça durante a coordenação viso-cefálica (CVC) em lactentes. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Foram testados dois arranjos experimentais (A e B) que diferiam quanto ao número e posicionamento das câmeras, bem como quanto ao volume do sistema de calibração. RESULTADOS: A acurácia dos dois arranjos experimentais foi de 2,47mm, indicando que ambos podem fornecer uma reconstrução verossímil do movimento. As três câmeras usadas no arranjo B favoreceram a visualização de toda a amplitude do movimento por pelo menos uma das câmeras. Isso levou à melhora da análise qualitativa e à redução do tempo de processamento dos dados quantitativos, reduzindo-o em 33% quando comparado ao arranjo A. Além disso, o arranjo B apresentou melhor relação custo-benefício. CONCLUSÕES: Ambos os arranjos são adequados para a análise cinemática dos movimentos de cabeça durante a CVC de lactentes, entretanto, o arranjo B é mais vantajoso. A metodologia do arranjo B pode ser empregada em estudos que investigam o movimento de cabeça de lactentes, sejam eles típicos ou atípicos. Os resultados de tais estudos poderão ser empregados para complementar a avaliação de lactentes de risco e, conseqüentemente, auxiliar na intervenção precoce destes.42543

Effective Rheology of Bubbles Moving in a Capillary Tube

We calculate the average volumetric flux versus pressure drop of bubbles moving in a single capillary tube with varying diameter, finding a square-root relation from mapping the flow equations onto that of a driven overdamped pendulum. The calculation is based on a derivation of the equation of motion of a bubble train from considering the capillary forces and the entropy production associated with the viscous flow. We also calculate the configurational probability of the positions of the bubbles.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Numerical and experimental analysis of wrinkling during the cup drawing of an AA5042 aluminium alloy

The recent trend to reduce the thickness of metallic sheets used in forming processes strongly increases the likelihood of the occurrence of wrinkling. Thus, in order to obtain defect-free components, the prediction of this kind of defect becomes extremely important in the tool design and selection of process parameters. In this study, the sheet metal forming process proposed as a benchmark in the Numisheet 2014 conference is selected to analyse the influence of the tool geometry on wrinkling behaviour, as well as the reliability of the developed numerical model. The side-wall wrinkling during the deep drawing process of a cylindrical cup in AA5042 aluminium alloy is investigated through finite element simulation and experimental measurements. The material plastic anisotropy is modelled with an advanced yield criterion beyond the isotropic (von Mises) material behaviour. The results show that the shape of the wrinkles predicted by the numerical model is strongly affected by the finite element mesh used in the blank discretization. The accurate modelling of the plastic anisotropy of the aluminium alloy yields numerical results that are in good agreement with the experiments, particularly the shape and location of the wrinkles. The predicted punch force evolution is strongly influenced by the friction coefficient used in the model. Moreover, the two punch geometries provide drawn cups with different wrinkle waves, mainly differing in amplitude.The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under project PTDC/EMS-TEC/1805/2012. The first author is also grateful to the FCT for the Postdoctoral grant SFRH/BPD/101334/2014 and P.D. Barros is grateful to the FCT for the PhD Grant SFRH/BD/98545/2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The behaviour of repeat visitors to museums: Review and empirical findings

This study presents a theoretical and operational framework for analysing repeat visit to museums. Starting from the literature on repeat visit in tourism, the specificities of these cultural attractions are made explicit through a review of theoretical and applied works. Consistently with previous contributors, the paper suggests that the analysis of actual past behaviours has to be preferred to the one of attitudes. The application of proper econometric models is also remarked in order to put into account individual profiles. Information coming from three techniques is then used in an integrated way in order to provide a more comprehensive view of the phenomenon. Evidence from an ad hoc survey suggests the necessity to give a greater attention to perceived cultural value during the visit, promoting cultural events during the week and addressed to children, and taking care of those visitors that come from far places also through an integrated tourist supply. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

The role of peptides in bone healing and regeneration: A systematic review

Background: Bone tissue engineering and the research surrounding peptides has expanded significantly over the last few decades. Several peptides have been shown to support and stimulate the bone healing response and have been proposed as therapeutic vehicles for clinical use. The aim of this comprehensive review is to present the clinical and experimental studies analysing the potential role of peptides for bone healing and bone regeneration. Methods: A systematic review according to PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Articles presenting peptides capable of exerting an upregulatory effect on osteoprogenitor cells and bone healing were included in the study. Results: Based on the available literature, a significant amount of experimental in vitro and in vivo evidence exists. Several peptides were found to upregulate the bone healing response in experimental models and could act as potential candidates for future clinical applications. However, from the available peptides that reached the level of clinical trials, the presented results are limited. Conclusion: Further research is desirable to shed more light into the processes governing the osteoprogenitor cellular responses. With further advances in the field of biomimetic materials and scaffolds, new treatment modalities for bone repair will emerge

Systematic and Evolutionary Insights Derived from mtDNA COI Barcode Diversity in the Decapoda (Crustacea: Malacostraca)

Background: Decapods are the most recognizable of all crustaceans and comprise a dominant group of benthic invertebrates of the continental shelf and slope, including many species of economic importance. Of the 17635 morphologically described Decapoda species, only 5.4% are represented by COI barcode region sequences. It therefore remains a challenge to compile regional databases that identify and analyse the extent and patterns of decapod diversity throughout the world. Methodology/Principal Findings: We contributed 101 decapod species from the North East Atlantic, the Gulf of Cadiz and the Mediterranean Sea, of which 81 species represent novel COI records. Within the newly-generated dataset, 3.6% of the species barcodes conflicted with the assigned morphological taxonomic identification, highlighting both the apparent taxonomic ambiguity among certain groups, and the need for an accelerated and independent taxonomic approach. Using the combined COI barcode projects from the Barcode of Life Database, we provide the most comprehensive COI data set so far examined for the Order (1572 sequences of 528 species, 213 genera, and 67 families). Patterns within families show a general predicted molecular hierarchy, but the scale of divergence at each taxonomic level appears to vary extensively between families. The range values of mean K2P distance observed were: within species 0.285% to 1.375%, within genus 6.376% to 20.924% and within family 11.392% to 25.617%. Nucleotide composition varied greatly across decapods, ranging from 30.8 % to 49.4 % GC content. Conclusions/Significance: Decapod biological diversity was quantified by identifying putative cryptic species allowing a rapid assessment of taxon diversity in groups that have until now received limited morphological and systematic examination. We highlight taxonomic groups or species with unusual nucleotide composition or evolutionary rates. Such data are relevant to strategies for conservation of existing decapod biodiversity, as well as elucidating the mechanisms and constraints shaping the patterns observed.FCT - SFRH/BD/25568/ 2006EC FP6 - GOCE-CT-2005-511234 HERMESFCT - PTDC/MAR/69892/2006 LusomarBo

The spatial structure of lithic landscapes : the late holocene record of east-central Argentina as a case study

Fil: Barrientos, Gustavo. División Antropología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Catella, Luciana. División Arqueología. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Universidad Nacional de La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Oliva, Fernando. Centro Estudios Arqueológicos Regionales. Facultad de Humanidades y Artes. Universidad Nacional de Rosario; Argentin

A implicação do apoio social no viver de pessoas com hipertensão arterial

Objetivou-se conhecer os tipos de apoio oferecidos pela rede de apoio social aos hipertensos e as implicações no viver. Estudo qualitativo cuja metodologia baseou-se na Teoria Fundamentada nos Dados. Foram entrevistadas 35 pessoas entre outubro de 2008 e agosto de 2010, sendo 22 hipertensas obrigatoriamente cadastradas no HIPERDIA numa Unidade de Saúde em Belém/PA, 5 familiares, 5 profissionais de saúde e 3 representantes de instituições da comunidade referenciados pelos hipertensos como integrantes da rede de apoio. Os dados foram submetidos aos procedimentos de codificação: análise, comparação e categorização. A categoria “Identificando os tipos de apoio social oferecidos às pessoas no seu viver com hipertensão arterial” foi a Condição Interventora da Teoria. Os tipos de apoio emocional, informacional e instrumental originaram-se principalmente das relações familiares e podem significar alternativas no tratamento, caracterizando um cuidado centrado no hipertenso e sua rede de relações, requerendo atenção dos profissionais de saúde, inclusive do enfermeiro