bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ISOKINETIC STRENGTH OF KNEE FLEXORS AND EXTENSORS IN VERY YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS
Authors: Maly Tomas , Zahalka Frantisek , Mala Lucia , Teplan Jaroslav
Published: June 2013

Background

Monitoring of physical fitness characteristics in very young players could be helpful for the selection of talented youth or identification of the strengths and weaknesses in motor predispositions for physical performance. Muscular strength tested on an isokinetic dynamometer belongs to the most widely used methods of the identification of knee extensors (KE) and flexors (KF) strength in adult soccer players It appears that there is the lack of information concerning monitoring of isokinetic strength of lower limbs and its parameters in very young soccer players. The purpose of the study was to find out the level of isokinetic strength (IS) of KE and KF and to compare the selected characteristics of IS related to the movement velocity and limb dominancy in very young players.

Methods

Young players (n=16, age 8.8±0.4 years, body height=137.5±6.2 cm, body weight=30.7±4.1 kg) were tested on an isokinetic dynamometer Cybex Humac Norm. Maximum peak muscle torque (PT) of KE and KF, their mutual ratio (H:Q) and bilateral ratio between Q:Q or H:H were assessed during concentric contraction at different velocities (60,180,300°.s-1) in the dominant leg (DL) and non-dominant leg (NL). Mixed-design ANOVA was used for evaluation of PT differences between the factors (angular velocity, limb dominancy, muscle groups–KE, KF). For multiple comparisons we used Bonferonni's post-hoc test. Statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Effect size was assessed using the ηp2 coefficient.

Results

The results of PT during 60,180 and 300°.s-1 were (KE [DL]: 60.9±11.6, 39.2±7.3, 30.9±5.4 N•m, [NL]: 60.8±12.2, 41.1±7.8, 33.6±6.3 N•m and for KF [DL]: 34.5±6.2, 24.5±4.1, 19.7±4.3 N•m, [NL]: 33.2±5.7, 24.6±5.8, 20.0±4.8 N•m). Movement velocity had a significant effect on the level of PT (peak torque) in the players F(1.3, 77.9)=414.9, p<0.01, ηp2=0.874 and HQ ratio (F(1.7, 49.8)=7.6, p<0.01, ηp2=0.202. With increasing velocity, significant differences were revealed in PT (L vs M, L vs H, M vs. H p<0.01) and HQ ratio (L vs M, L vs H p <0.05).

Limb dominancy did not significantly influence the level of PT F(1, 60)=0.180, p>0.05, ηp2=0.687 or H:Q F(1, 30)=0.760, p>0.05, ηp2=0.025.

Movement velocity and limb dominancy did not have any significant effect on the bilateral ratio between QQ and HH in young soccer players (p>0.05).

Conclusion

The results indicated significant differences in PT and HQ in relation to movement velocity. On the contrary, no significant differences were found in bilateral ratio (Q:Q, H:Q). Limb dominancy did not significantly affect any of the observed characteristics. The presented data may contribute to comparison or establishment of standards for strength profile in this age category. Supported by GAČR P407/11/ P704 and MSM 0021620864.
EFFECTS OF TEN WEEKS OF EITHER MULTIPLE-SET TRAINING OR SINGLE-SET TRAINING ON STRENGTH AND MUSCLE MASS
Authors: Eichmann Björn , Gießing Jürgen
Published: June 2013

Background

It is generally accepted that strength and muscle mass can be increased by strength training programs. Results are known to depend on training volume and training intensity.1 2Strength increases when performing sets to the Repetition Maximum (PM) or even to the point of momentary muscular failure (PmF) and muscle hypertrophy has been proven to be superior to the results of sets performed at lower levels of intensity.3 4

Methods

In this study (n=43) subjects trained twice a week for ten weeks. One group performed high-intensity training (n=16) and did only one drop-set of each exercise to the point of momentary muscular failure (HIT), whereas the other group (n=14) performed as many repetitions as possible in each set and did three sets of each exercise (3ST). The control group (n=13) did not strength train at all. The body composition of all groups was analysed in weeks 0 and 11. Subjects also performed strength tests for nine exercises in weeks 0 and 11.

Results

Strength tests and bioelectrical impedance analysis (Tanita MC 180, MA) show increased strength and muscle mass in both training groups but not in the control group.5However, both strength and muscle mass increased to a greater extent in HIT than in 3ST. After ten weeks of training HIT increased the maximum number of repetitions in the nine test exercise by an average of 25 (15.7/40.3) repetitions per exercise while 3ST increased repetitions by an average of only 15 (6.4/24) repetitions per exercise. Furthermore, HIT increased to a significantly greater extent than 3ST while simultaneously decreasing body fat.

Discussion/Conclusions

One set of HIT is sufficient to improve muscle mass and strength. On average, results over a training period of ten weeks are better than those of 3ST. Further studies are needed to examine the effects of HIT and 3ST training periods longer than ten weeks.
OUTCOME OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY IN FARMEDIAL FEMORAL TUNNEL PLACEMENT
Authors: Ramim Tayeb
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery in medial tibia tunnel entrance in patients with ruptured ligament.

Materials and Methods

This cohort study was performed in patients admitted to Sina academic hospital in Tehran from April 2009 to April 2010. ACL reconstruction was done by arthroscopic surgery and the patients knee function was assessed six months later. International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaire and arthrometer (model KT-1000) were used to measure patients knee activity level and functional testing before and after the procedure. Final knee score was given to the patient based on the lowest score in each section and include four groups: A, B, C and D.

Results

107 patients with mean age 29.61±5.15 years (21–38 years) participated in this study. 84 patients (78.5%) were male. Most common cause ACL rupture was due to sport injuries (54.20%), followed by road traffic accidents (19.62%), daily activities (16.82%) and work activities (9.3%). The mean femoral channel length done in this operation was 44.75±3.41 mm. The mean of range of motion (ROM) of knee after surgery was 143.21±5.37° (133–150°), and showed a significant difference between males and females (p=0.000). The functional test was performed by an arthrometer. Displacement differences between normal and operated knee was calculated six months after surgery. It showed significant difference between both genders (p=0.03).

Conclusion

Transtibial graft position is closer to the anatomical position. This method is a simple procedure of transtibial graft surgery and has a good outcome.
REPORTING ON ACL DEFICIENT PATIENTS: A FUNCTION-BASED RETURN-TO-ACTIVITY ALGORITHM
Authors: Keller Matthias , Schmidtlein Oliver , Kurz Eduard
Published: June 2013

Background

The most current follow-up treatments after ACL injuries are time-oriented. The decision-making procedures for return-to-sport are not uniform. The ACL rehabilitation approaches comply mostly with empirical values in time-dependent schemes. However, specific questionnaires and functional assessments become more important during the control of rehabilitation. Therefore this presentation aimed to present a function-oriented return-to-activity algorithm.

Methods

The 29-year-old male professional soccer athlete with traumatic ACL rupture of the left knee and a bodyweight of 74 kg participated in an active rehabilitation program for a period of five months. The rehabilitation protocol started five days after surgical ACL repair through hamstring tendon. Anamnesis revealed no previous knee injuries and the absence of any further physical complaints. The athlete was free of psycho-social risk factors and showed a very good compliance.

The return-to-activity algorithm applied consisted of different tests within four levels. Starting with quasi-static single leg stability measures, the algorithm proceeds with three dynamic hop tests with progressing impact. After ensuring sagittal (single leg hop) and frontal (side hop) planes stability, a multi-planar (square hop) test is performed. The protocol estimates limb symmetry indices (LSI) within each of the four levels. By using this approach, the unaffected side serves as the control. Only athletes who pass the test with a minimum LSI of 90% are allowed to move on to the next level and thus stress the structures with level-specific activities (e.g. cutting movements within the third level).

Results

The first level (Y-balance test) was completed two months after operative treatment with an average LSI of 95%, whilst the LSI of the single leg hop for distance (second level) revealed only 50%. After a further period of four weeks, the LSI of the single leg hop test improved considerably to 81%. The athlete reached the predefined boundary of 90% four months after surgery. After that time, initial moderate jogging activities and dynamic exercises were allowed. Five months after the operation, the third (side hop test) and fourth (square hop test) levels revealed an LSI of 99% and 94% respectively. The rehab protocol was now completed and integration into team training could begin.

Conclusion

In this case report, an athlete returned to his previous sport level within a period of twenty weeks. The proposed return-to-activity algorithm was easy applicable and helpful to control the different rehabilitation phases. On the basis of such a procedure, individual recommendations are decoupled from time-oriented approaches. Thus musculo-skeletal function becomes a central component in judging progressions during rehabilitation.
THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROPRIOCEPTIVE NEUROMUSCULAR FACILITATION TECHNIQUES AND HIDROTHERAPY TO IMPROVE KNEE STABILITY AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: Boca Ioan-Cosmin , Dan Mirela
Published: June 2013

Background

Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a significant process which may decisively influence patient capacity to return to usual activity levels. Physiotherapy has a favourable influence on improving stability in the ACL deficient knee by using physical exercise and manual contact, the most affordable methods that can be used to improve quality of life. A combination of proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) tehniques and hydrotherapy is a treatment that can prevent stability loss and serve as an adjunct to conventional therapy.

Purpose

To compare the effect of adding a combination of PNF tehniques and hydrotherapy (research group) to a standard postoperative rehabilitation program (control group).

Methods

A total of fourty patients completed a standard rehabilitation program and in addition, twenty of them underwent 10-minute sessions of PNF tehniques and 15-minute sessions of hydrotherapy (34–36°C) each day, five days a week, for four weeks. Outcome measures including knee range of motion (ROM), manual muscle testing of flexors and extensors of the knee, functional assessment using Modified Cincinnati Knee Rating System (MCKRS), were assessed at baseline (initial assessment) and at four weeks (final assessment).

Results

The research group achieved significantly better results at the end of rehabilitation program compared with the control group. ROM of the reaserch group increased by 52.8° for flexion and 3.2° for extension, between the initial and final measurements in the injured knee. The corresponding changes for control group were 44° for flexion and 2° for extension.

Extensor strength of the reaserch group increased by 40% and 22% for flexors, between the initial and final measurements in the injured knee, comparative to the control group where the increase was by 30% for extensors and 20% for flexors.

The functional score with respect to the MCKRS, for the research group, improved by 36.4% between the initial and final measurements, whereas the corresponding changes for the control group were 25.8%.

Conclusion

PNF tehniques and hydrotherapy combined with standard rehabilitation program is effective at accelerating recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.
DOPING AND SUPPLEMENT: THE ATTITUDE OF IRANIAN NATIONAL TEAM COACHES
Authors: Golshanraz A , Same-Siahkalroodi L , Poor-Kazemi L
Published: June 2013

Background

Supplement use is common in sport. Burns (2004), reported that 88.0% of the questions athletes used at least one supplements and 58% admitted using more than one type.1Besides their cost, use of supplements may have side effects on general health and sports performance. Nobody cannot ignore role of coach in athletes sport achievement. Fung and Juan (2006) found there was a large discrepancy between coaches' perceived knowledge and actual knowledge.2

Methods

This studies utilized a cross-sectional survey design and cluster sampling. 95 validated questionnaires were distributed among national team coaches in 30 different fields of sports. A questionnaire designed to explore coaches' attitude to supplement consumption by athletes, beliefs and knowledge regarding dietary supplements. Mean age of participants was 36 years.

Results

The knowledge of coaches about supplements was good in 42.3%, fair in 51.2%, and poor in 6.5%; whilst 74.6% felt that they have little knowledge and 83.7% were eager to learn more about supplements' effects on general health, performance enhancing properties and potential negative side effects. 68.3% stated that supplements are unavoidable part of competitive sports. They thought over than 80% of elite athletes use supplements. They revealed 19% experience of inadvertent doping due to supplement contamination with prohibited substances. They expressed athletes like have a recommendation of sport supplements use by nutritionists (32.4%), medical doctors (26.1%), coaches (20%), fitness trainers (12.6%) and pharmacists (8.9%). They cited athletes using supplements based on recommendation (48.6%), brand (31.3%), advertising claims (21%), availability (18%) and price (12%).

Discussion

Our study revealed that many coaches mentioned that athletes should acquire information from nutritionists, medical doctors, coaches, fitness trainers and pharmacists. Consistent with our research, Malinauskas et al. in their study found that 71% of athletes considered coaches the best consultants regarding sports supplements.3It is evident that coaches can be a reliable information source if they improve their knowledge. So that, sport organizations can schedule educational sessions for coaches to develop their nutrition and supplement information. Subsequently they can transfer the information to athletes for best practice.
ASSESSMENT OF IN VIVO LOADING HISTORY OF THE PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT- A STUDY COMBINING PATELLAR POSITION, TILT, ALIGNMENT AND BONE SPECT/CT TRACER UPTAKE/DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS
Authors: Hirschmann Michael Tobias , Schön Stephan , Afifi Faik , Rasch Helmut , Testa Enrique Adrian , Friederich Niklaus , Arnold Markus
Published: June 2013

Introduction

SPECT/CT could be used to evaluate the in vivo loading pattern of the patellofemoral joint before and after realignment surgery. The purpose of this study is to investigate, whether the patella position (height and tilt) influences the intensity values as well as the distribution pattern of SPECT/CT tracer uptake in the patellofemoral joint.

Methods

99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT and conventional radiographs of consecutive 84 knees were prospectively obtained. Lateral radiographs were then analysed in terms of patellar height, the Insall-Salvati index and the modified Insall-Salvati index. Skyline views were analysed measuring the lateral patellofemoral angle according to Laurin. On long leg radiographs the mechanical leg alignment was classified as varus, valgus or neutral. 99mTc-HDP-SPECT/CT images were analysed for each anatomical region using a previously validated SPECT/CT localisation and grading algorithm. Mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum of grading for each area of the localization scheme were recorded using a semiquantitative colour-coded grading scale (0–10). Nonparametric Spearman correlation coefficients were used to correlate the patella height, the lateral patellar angle and leg alignment measurements with the intensity of tracer uptake in each area of interest. Chi square statistics were used for categorical data. The level of statistical significance was p<0.05.

Results

16 (19%) knees showed valgus, 34 (40.5%) varus and 34 (40.5%) neutral mechanical alignment. A lower patella position correlated significantly with higher 99mTc-HDP SPECT/CT tracer uptake in all patellar and lateral femoral regions (p<0.001). A higher lateral patellar angle correlated significantly with higher 99mTc-HDP tracer uptake in the superior lateral femoral parts and the tibial tubercle. The intensity of 99mTc-HDP SPECT/CT tracer uptake on the medial part of the patellofemoral joint significantly correlated with mechanical varus alignment of the knee (p<0.05). The intensity of 99mTc-HDP tracer uptake on the lateral part of the patellofemoral joint significantly correlated with mechanical valgus alignment of the knee (p<0.05).

Conclusions

The intensity and distribution of the SPECT/CT significantly correlated with patella infera and patellar tilt angle, measured in conventional radiographs. Hence, SPECT/CT should be considered as imaging modality for evaluating patients with patellofemoral disorders and for follow-up of patients after patellofemoral realignment procedures.
GROWTH AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITIES IN 8-10 YEAR OLD CHILDREN WHO PRACTICE FOOTBALL–AN OVERVIEW
Authors: Domingues Marcio
Published: June 2013

Sport and more specifically football is an important asset in youth lives. Much has been written regarding functional capacities and dimensions in pre-adolescence and adolescence but there's a consistent lack of information concerning the ages of 6–10 years of age. Biological factors, such as body size and maturity status, have been documented as predictors of athlete selection and performance in several sports (Malina, Bouchard, & Bar-Or, 2004). As some authors contest, advanced biological maturity status constitutes an asset positively associated with selection process and success in several sports in early adolescence (Malina, Pena Reyes, Eisenmann, Horta, Rodrigues, & Miller, 2000), as chronological age and sport specialization increase. Children are very responsive to systematic instructional and training programs for the development of motor skills. Moreover, studies of youth football players start to consider the potential influence of variation in growth and biological maturity status upon sport-specific football skills. Attention is given to functional capacities and performance outcomes in young athletes at relatively young age as they relate to growth and maturation. The multilateral development emphasis should be placed ahead when elaborating youth programs as coaches should be careful in using body size as cut-points in sport and should be aware of individual differences (Malina, 2004). Care should therefore be taken in developing football skills regarding performance with full respect to youth development.
CFD ANALYSIS OF THE BODY POSITION DURING THE GLIDING IN SWIMMING
Authors: A Marinho Daniel , Novais M L , R Mantha Vishveshwar , J Ramos Rui , M Barbosa Tiago , I Rouboa Abel , J Silva António
Published: June 2013

Background

The swimmer's body position after immersion determines the success of the start rather than his/her starting body position in the block or during the fly.1There are swimmers gliding in a lateral position whereas others prefer a prone one. Moreover, during this phase, swimmers may alter their body posture and, as far as some techniques are concerned, swimmers must change the position of the limbs.2The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of body positions in drag coefficient during the glide in swimming using computational fluid dynamics.

Methods

In order to create the three-dimensional digital model computer tomography scans of a human body of a male swimmer were applied3. The swimmer was modelled as if he were gliding underwater in a streamlined position, at four different body positions: (i) in the prone position, (ii) in a side position with an absolute angle between the horizontal plane with the body coronal plane of 45°, (iii) in a side position with 90° of rotation and, (iv) in the dorsal position. The boundary conditions of the model were designed to represent the geometry and flow conditions of a part of a lane in a swimming pool. Steady-state computational fluid dynamics analyses were performed using the Fluent® code and the drag coefficient was computed for velocities of 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 m/s.

Results

Drag coefficient reaches its lowest value in the prone position, followed by the side position with 45° of rotation (0.29%, 0.15%, 0.01% drag increment for 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 m/s, respectively), the side position with 90° of rotation (1.03%, 0.94%, 0.64% increment), and the dorsal position (2.21%, 1.42%, 0.96% increment), in which the highest value of drag coefficient is obtained.

Discussion/Conclusions

Main data shows that the prone position presented the lowest drag coefficient values, whereas dorsal position presented the highest values during the underwater gliding. The prone position seems to be the one that should be adopted after the starts and turns phases of a competitive swimming event, especially during freestyle events and after pushing-off from the wall during the turn where swimmers can freely choose the best body position.
ANXIETY AND INJURIES IN SOCCER PLAYERS
Authors: Vago Paola , Casolo Francesco , Lovecchio Nicola , Colombo Lucia , Gatti Monica
Published: June 2013

Soccer is among the most played and most popular sports in the world. The average incidence of injuries per game is 2.7 and that an adult soccer player has at least one injury per year (Roi G.S., Della Villa S., 2011). Findings from recent studies suggest that psychological factors such as somatic trait anxiety and daily hassles are associated with increased risk of injury (Johnson and Ivarsson, 2013). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between anxiety and injury in adult male soccer players.

Method

The participants of the study were 100 amauteur male soccer players (aged 18 to 45). Each player filled in a qualitative questionnaire about his personal characteristics and sport practice (training, matches, etc.) and previous injuries (muscle, meniscal, injuries, tendinopathies, fractures, etc.). The participants also completed the Stai–State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (Spielbergeret al, 1968). This questionnaire investigates the anxiety level, both in a specific situation (before the match, in this study) and in everyday life.

Results

The data were tested for correlations between anxiety (state and trait) levels and number of injuries (divided in specific types). Tendinopathies positively correlated both with state (rho=0.243; p<0.05) and trait anxiety (rho=0.205; p<0.05). Also fractures positively correlated both with state (rho=0.295; p<0.01) and trait anxiety (rho=0.368; p<0.01).

Differences in injuries between participants who reported high or low anxiety levels were also explored. Players with higher level of state anxiety (N=35) reported more tendinopathies (p<0.01) and fractures (p<0.01). Similarly, players with higher levels of trait anxiety (N=33) reported more tendinopathies (p<0.05) and fractures (p<0.01).

Discussion

The present results support the contention that anxiety is an important factor, significantly associated with injuries, such as tendinopathies and fractures. In addict, several studies have shown that lack of readiness to take action, tough-mindedness or presence of a generalized high status of muscle tone, might be factors related to injury in a player with anxiety traits. Hence, with respect to psychological components, situation-related emotional states and coping resources may represent important avenues for interventions aimed at preserving health status and preventing injuries in soccer players.
MUSCLE AND TENDON INJURIES AT AN INTERNATIONAL MULTI-SPORT TOURNAMENT: EUROPEAN MACCABI GAMES 2011
Authors: Broman Daniel , Fearn Robert , Wittenberg Marc
Published: June 2013

A multi-sport event poses a different variety of problems for a medical team, when compared to tournaments of specific sports, due to the diverse range of injuries that occur. There is a lot of data about injury rates in specific sports, but data on epidemiology of medical problems at multi-sports events is limited.

Our aim was to research the injuries that occur during multi-sport tournaments, by performing a prospective cross-sectional data collection study, as the medical team covering Team GB for the European Maccabi Games 2011. We collected injury profile statistics in relation to the sport played, age of patient, ‘type’ of injury sustained, anatomical location and severity (absence from training or match).

230 athletes had 88 medical encounters over the tournament, which compromised 1405 ‘player-hours’ of sport. This means the general injury rate was 62.6 injuries per 1000 hours of sport played.

Our data found that the majority of injuries sustained at multi-sport tournaments were muscle and tendon injuries, with 52/88 (59%) of our total medical encounters affecting muscles and/or tendons.

The sport with the highest risk of muscle or tendon injury was football with 45% of the total injuries occurring in this event, compared to lower-risk sports (eg. swimming, bowling or fencing). Futsal had a moderate risk of injury, with 27% (14/52) of injuries occurring in this sport. Of all the muscle and tendon injuries, the majority, 73% (38/52) affected the lower limbs, 10% (5/52) affected the upper limbs and 17% (9/52) affected the back or neck. With regard to severity, 50% (26/52) were classed as an incident (no time lost from competition). Of the remaining 26 injuries that caused a player to lose playing time 54% were classed as minor (<1 match missed), 31% as moderate (1–2 matches missed) and 15% as major (>2 matches missed).

By studying injury data, our medical team can prepare for future multi-sport events and attempt to produce injury prevention programmes.
COMPLETE QUADRICEPS MUSCLE TEAR AT 5 YEARS FOLLOW-UP. REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Authors: Oliva Francesco , Giai Via Alessio , Maffulli Nicola
Published: June 2013

Muscle injuries are challenging problems for surgeons. Most of muscle trauma are treated conservatively with excellent results but severe muscle injury may indicate the need for surgical repair. Repair of belly muscle laceration is technically demanding because of the sutures pull out and the likelihood of clinical failure is high. Different suture techniques have been described in literature even if the best suturing technique is debated. Moreover many biological approaches to improve muscle healing have been proposed. We present a case of complete quadriceps muscle tear treated with surgical repair at 5 years follow-up and a review of literature.
TEMPORAL CHANGE OF ACTIVITY OF M. STERNOCLEIDOMASTOIDEUS AND M. TRAPEZIUS PARS DESCENDENS WHEN PERFORMING A HEADER AFTER FATIGUE OF THE TRUNK MUSCLES
Authors: Becker S , Ludwig O , Kelm J
Published: June 2013

Introduction

Precise recommendations on how to plan a training schedule for headers in soccer are rare. To ensure a clean technical and non-hazardous movement when heading the ball, specialized literature postulates the necessity of strengthening the muscles stabilizing the trunk. The question was how the muscles essential for headers would be working in non-fatigued and fatigued conditions. Therefore this study tried to record a potential temporal change of the maximum activity of m. sternocleidomastoideus (SCM) and m. trapezius pars descendens (TPD), after the muscles stabilizing the trunk (m. erector spinae and m. rectus abdominis) had been tired out by a treatment.

Methods

12 nonprofessional soccer players were analyzed in a pre-post-test, performing straight headers using a pendulum header after a two footed take-off. The myoelectric potential of SCM and TPD was recorded with the help of telemetric surface electromyography. A foot pressure sensor was used to register the moment of take-off; an acceleration sensor was attached to the back of the head to register the ball contact. The treatment to tire out the trunk muscles included three abdominal excercises and two back excercises. After determining the moment of maximal activity within the defined time frame, that started at the point of take-off and ended at the point ob ball contact, pretest and posttest were compared with the help of a t-test to find out if any significant changes occured.

Results

The moments of maximum muscle activity of SCM and TPD changed heterogeneously but not significantly.

Different muscular activation strategies could be identified. The maximum activity of TPD of four subjects occured in the posttest earlier (15% of the time frame). Three subjects showed an earlier activation of SCM (15% of the time frame), whereas five subjects didn't show any differences at all.

Specialized literature postulated a co-contraction of SCM and TPD at the moment of ball contact, but this result could not be found in our tests. In general SCM was inactive at that point in time.

Conclusion

Beside the small number of subjects in the survey the reason for the heterogeneous and non-significant activation might be the redundant functioning of the muscles.

The different temporal activations of TPD and SCM can be understood as inter-individual motor patterns. The stronger drawing back movement and acceleration originating in the throat-neck-region can be seen as a compensation of the tired trunk muscles.

The reason for the missing co-contraction of SCM at the moment of ball contact, could be the standardized test methods with the help of an immovable pendulum header.
THE TENDON OF YOUNG ATHLETES AND FOOTBALLERS
Authors: Ruzza Marucci , Gasol Xavier , Yanguas Xavier , Til Lluis
Published: June 2013

Background

Describe patterns of ultrasound and elastography in patellar and achilles tendons in a population of young footballers, jumpers and sprinters.

Methods

We studied 48 athletes (7 female and 41 male) aged between 15 and 26 years; 24 of them are from a youth soccer team in the national first division and 24 high performance jumpers and sprinters. The information was obtained by Esaote -my lab ultrasound and performed in all cases by the same observer. The 192 tendons were studied in relation to their diameter, presence of vessels within the tendons and their elastography.

Results

The average diameter was between 4.63 and 4.82 mm including achilles and patellar. Most tendons showed no vessels (88.55%). The elastography pattern was predominantly "medium hard" (in classification by points 0–4, prevailed 2–3) and described the patellar stiffer than achilles. There were 14 tendons equal or larger than 6mm of diameter and 22 tendons were detected with vessels. These last 36 tendons were assessed as pathological status and the 11% of these produced athlete symptoms.

Discussion

The eco-elastographic screening of athlete's tendons could be used since an early age to detect changes related to diseases occurring along the sporting life. Defining patterns is of great importance because it can be used to detect early changes and it is a way to improve prevention, diagnosis and treatment of these pathologies.
Involvement of patients with cancer in patient safety: a qualitative study of current practices, potentials and barriers
Authors: Martin Helle Max , Navne Laura Emdal , Lipczak Henriette
Published: June 2013

Background

Patient involvement in patient safety is widely advocated but knowledge regarding implementation of the concept in clinical practice is sparse.

Objective

To investigate existing practices for patient involvement in patient safety, and opportunities and barriers for further involvement.

Design

A qualitative study of patient safety involvement practices in patient trajectories for prostate, uterine and colorectal cancer in Denmark. Observations from four hospital wards and interviews with 25 patients with cancer, 11 hospital doctors, 10 nurses, four general practitioners and two private practicing gynaecologists were conducted using ethnographic methodology.

Findings

Patient safety was not a topic of attention for patients or dominant in communication between patients and healthcare professionals. The understanding of patient safety in clinical practice is almost exclusively linked to disease management. Involvement of patients is not systematic, but healthcare professionals and patients express willingness to engage. Invitation and encouragement of patients to become involved could be further systematised and developed. Barriers include limited knowledge of patient safety, of specific patient safety involvement techniques and concern regarding potential negative impact on doctor–patient relationship.

Conclusions

Involvement of patients in patient safety must take into account that despite stated openness to the idea of involvement, patients and health professionals may not in practice show immediate concern. Lack of systematic involvement can also be attributed to limited knowledge about how to implement involvement beyond the focus of self-monitoring and compliance and a concern about the consequences of patient involvement for treatment outcomes. To realise the potential of patients’ and health professionals’ shared openness towards involvement, there is a need for more active facilitation and concrete guidance on how involvement can be practiced by both parties.
Amine-decorated nanocrystalline cellulose surfaces: synthesis, characterization, and surface properties
Authors: Hemraz Usha D. , Boluk Yaman , Sunasee Rajesh
Published: June 2013

In this present work, terminal amino-functionalized nanocrystalline cellulose derivatives were prepared using a simple two-step protecting group-free protocol under aqueous reaction conditions at room temperature. Carboxylate groups were first introduced onto the surface of nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) via a TEMPO-mediated oxidation. Then, reaction of surface-carboxylated NCC with bifunctional amines of small alkyl chain length by EDC/NHS-mediated coupling furnished the desired aminated NCC via an amide linkage. Surface covalent functionalization was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Size, surface charge, morphology, and thermal properties were obtained by various techniques. STEM images revealed no change in structure and morphology of the materials after TEMPO-mediated oxidation but a slight agglomeration was observed after surface covalent functionalization with diamines. While amide linkage confers stability, terminal primary amine groups on the surface of NCC represent a versatile reactive functional group for bioconjugation with other biomolecules for potential biomedical applications.
INDIRECT ADAPTIVE CONTROL OF NONLINEAR SYSTEMS BASED ON BILINEAR NEURO-FUZZY APPROXIMATION
Authors: BOUTALIS YIANNIS , CHRISTODOULOU MANOLIS , THEODORIDIS DIMITRIOS
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we investigate the indirect adaptive regulation problem of unknown affine in the control nonlinear systems. The proposed approach consists of choosing an appropriate system approximation model and a proper control law, which will regulate the system under the certainty equivalence principle. The main difference from other relevant works of the literature lies in the proposal of a potent approximation model that is bilinear with respect to the tunable parameters. To deploy the bilinear model, the components of the nonlinear plant are initially approximated by Fuzzy subsystems. Then, using appropriately defined fuzzy rule indicator functions, the initial dynamical fuzzy system is translated to a dynamical neuro-fuzzy model, where the indicator functions are replaced by High Order Neural Networks (HONNS), trained by sampled system data. The fuzzy output partitions of the initial fuzzy components are also estimated based on sampled data. This way, the parameters to be estimated are the weights of the HONNs and the centers of the output partitions, both arranged in matrices of appropriate dimensions and leading to a matrix to matrix bilinear parametric model. Based on the bilinear parametric model and the design of appropriate control law we use a Lyapunov stability analysis to obtain parameter adaptation laws and to regulate the states of the system. The weight updating laws guarantee that both the identification error and the system states reach zero exponentially fast, while keeping all signals in the closed loop bounded. Moreover, introducing a method of "concurrent" parameter hopping, the updating laws are modified so that the existence of the control signal is always assured. The main characteristic of the proposed approach is that the a priori experts information required by the identification scheme is extremely low, limited to the knowledge of the signs of the centers of the fuzzy output partitions. Therefore, the proposed scheme is not vulnerable to initial design assumptions. Simulations on selected examples of well-known benchmarks illustrate the potency of the method.
THE g-AREAS AND THE COMMUTATOR LENGTH
Authors: LALONDE FRANÇOIS , TELEMAN ANDREI
Published: June 2013

The commutator length of a Hamiltonian diffeomorphism f ∈ Ham (M,ω) of a closed symplectic manifold (M,ω) is by definition the minimal k such that f can be written as a product of k commutators in Ham (M,ω). We introduce a new invariant for Hamiltonian diffeomorphisms, called the k+-area, which measures the "distance", in a certain sense, to the subspace [Formula: see text] of all products of k commutators. Therefore, this invariant can be seen as the obstruction to writing a given Hamiltonian diffeomorphism as a product of k commutators. We also consider an infinitesimal version of the commutator problem: what is the obstruction to writing a Hamiltonian vector field as a linear combination of k Lie brackets of Hamiltonian vector fields? A natural problem related to this question is to describe explicitly, for every fixed k, the set of linear combinations of k such Lie brackets. The problem can be obviously reformulated in terms of Hamiltonians and Poisson brackets. For a given Morse function f on a symplectic Riemann surface M (verifying a weak genericity condition) we describe the linear space of commutators of the form {f, g}, with [Formula: see text].
VISCOUS MODIFIED COSMIC CHAPLYGIN GAS COSMOLOGY
Authors: POURHASSAN B.
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we construct viscous modified cosmic Chaplygin gas as a model of dark energy. We use exponential function method to solve nonlinear equation and obtain time-dependent dark energy density. Then, we discuss Hubble expansion parameter and scale factor and fix them by using observational data. Effect of viscosity to the evolution of Universe is investigated. We also investigate stability of this theory.
QUANTUM CORRELATIONS IN THE ENTANGLEMENT DISTILLATION PROTOCOLS
Authors: WU SHAO-XIONG , ZHANG JUN , YU CHANG-SHUI , SONG HE-SHAN
Published: June 2013

We study the quantum correlations between source and target pairs in different protocols of entanglement distillation of one kind of entangled states. We find that there does not exist any quantum correlation in the standard recurrence distillation protocol, while quantum discord and even quantum entanglement are always present in the other two cases of the improved distillation protocols. In the three cases, the distillation efficiency improved with the quantum correlations enhanced.
Mutual Information and Bose-Einstein Condensation
Authors: Gagatsos C. N. , Karanikas A. I. , Kordas G.
Published: June 2013

In this work we study an ideal bosonic quantum field system at finite temperature, and in a canonical and a grand canonical ensemble. For a simple spatial partition we derive the corresponding mutual information, a quantity that measures the total amount of information of one of the parts about the other. In order to find it, we first derive the von Neumann entropy that corresponds to the spatially separated subsystem (i.e. the geometric entropy) and then we subtract its extensive part which coincides with the thermal entropy of the subsystem. In the framework of the grand canonical description, we examine the influence of the underlying Bose-Einstein condensation on the behaviour of the mutual information, and we find that its derivative with respect to the temperature possesses a finite discontinuity at exactly the critical temperature.
Creativity in code
Authors: Cook Michael
Published: June 2013

Mediums such as fine art and poetry are common subjects in computational creativity---but what about something closer to home? Can computers be as creative in programming as they are in poetry?
Computational origami: a creative blend of mathematics and art
Authors: Zuba Michael , DePalma Nick
Published: June 2013

To some, mathematics is an art form. In this interview, we discuss the creativity behind computational origami, a growing area of computational geometry, with Erik Demaine.
The seventeenth australasian document computing symposium
Authors: Trotman Andrew , Cunningham Sally Jo , Sitbon Laurianne
Published: June 2013

The Seventeenth Australian Document Computing Symposium was held in Dunedin, New Zealand on the 5th and 6th of December 2012. In total twenty four papers were submitted. From those eleven were accepted for full presentation and 8 for short presentation. A poster session was held jointly with the Australasian Language Technology Workshop.
Report on IIiX'12
Authors: Fuhr Norbert , Kamps Jaap , Kraaij Wessel , Verberne Suzan
Published: June 2013

This paper reports on the fourth Information Interaction in Context (IIiX) Symposium held in Nijmegen, the Netherlands in August 2012. It featured a lively program with 3 keynotes, 25 long papers with oral presentation, 20 short papers with poster presentation, a doctoral consortium, a workshop on human-computer information retrieval, and was followed by a summer school on information foraging. IIiX'12 is an ACM and ACM SIGIR in cooperation conference with its proceedings published by the ACM.
Report on the workshop on search and exploration of x-rated information (SEXI 2013)
Authors: Murdock Vanessa , Clarke Charles L.A. , Kamps Jaap , Karlgren Jussi
Published: June 2013

The Workshop on Search and Exploration of X-Rated Information (SEXI) was presented for the first time at the Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM) 2013 in Rome, Italy. It represents a first attempt to study adult content from the perspective of the research communities in Web Search and Data Mining. To this end, five short papers were presented covering different research questions in searching and evaluating adult content on the Web, with two invited talks from experts in adult content from the fields of evolutionary psychology and media studies. The day ended with a panel that included the two invited speakers, and an expert in human trafficking on the Web.
Adaptive domain modelling for information retrieval
Authors: Albakour M-Dyaa
Published: June 2013

Modern search engines employ a number of interactive features to assist users in exploring the document collection and expressing their information needs. Providing these features require knowledge about the document collection in the domain, i.e. a domain model. These models may be difficult to obtain and even if they are available, they may become out of date when the document collection changes or the users start to view the domain differently. In this thesis we propose to use implicit feedback left by users while they interact with search engines to build domain models that evolve over time. These models can adapt to changes in the domain as reflected in the search trend of the user population.

We validate these models in two different IR tasks. The major application is query recommendation where previous studies focused on Web search in general or did not consider the temporal aspect of recommendations. Our models address these issues as they are targeted to specific domains such as enterprise search or digital libraries. We furthermore devise an automatic evaluation methodology that allows us to perform extensive evaluation of our adaptive models and observe their performance over time. Using query logs collected from two academic institutions, the evaluation framework assesses the impact of different factors on their performance.

The second application of these models is query session retrieval. The query session retrieval problem extends the traditional ad-hoc retrieval by taking into account the previous user interactions with the retrieval system within the same session when answering the query. In this context rather than explicitly providing the user with relevant queries to their information needs, our adaptive models implicitly derive query expansions relevant to the user information needs as identified in the sessions by mapping the session to similar sessions inferred from the models.
TTF-ravenscar
Authors: Burns A. , Wellings A. J. , Malik A. H.
Published: June 2013

Although the Ravenscar profile of Ada has achieved a measure of success in the development of high-integrity system, it is often criticised for not having enough expressive power to deal with common real-time programming patterns. This has led to a call for more facilities to be added to the profile. These have been turned down by the Ada standardization body for fear of "feature creep" and the lack of clear and consistent motivation. This paper proposes a coherent profile to support the construction of fault-tolerant high-integrity real-time programs.
Ada real-time services and virtualization
Authors: Zamorano Juan , Esquinas Ańgel , de la Puente Juan A.
Published: June 2013

Virtualization techniques have received increased attention in the field of embedded real-time systems. Such techniques provide a set of virtual machines that run on a single hardware platform, thus allowing several application programs to be executed as though they were running on separate machines, with isolated memory spaces and a fraction of the real processor time available to each of them.

This papers deals with some problems that arise when implementing real-time systems written in Ada on a virtual machine. The effects of virtualization on the performance of the Ada real-time services are analysed, and requirements for the virtualization layer are derived. Virtual-machine time services are also defined in order to properly support Ada real-time applications. The implementation of the ORK+ kernel on the XtratuM supervisor is used as an example.
New types of tasking deadlocks in Ada 2012 programs
Authors: Ekiba Takeo , Goto Yuichi , Cheng Jingde
Published: June 2013

This article presents some new types of tasking deadlocks concerning the new synchronization waiting relations defined in Ada 2012.