The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a 12-month Balance Training Program on balance, mobility and falling frequency in women with osteoporosis.
Sixty-six consecutive elderly ...women were selected from the Osteometabolic Disease Outpatient Clinic and randomized into 2 groups: the 'Intervention', submitted for balance training; and the 'Control', without intervention. Balance, mobility and falling frequency were evaluated before and at the end of the trial, using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Clinical Test Sensory Interaction Balance (CTSIB) and the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUGT). Intervention used techniques to improve balance consisting of a 1-hour session each week and a home-based exercise program.
Sixty women completed the study and were analyzed. The BBS difference was significant higher in the Intervention group compared to Control (5.5 +/- 5.67 vs -0.5 +/- 4.88 score, p<0.001). Similarly, the number of patients in the Intervention group presented improvement in two conditions of CTSIB compared to Control (eyes closed and unstable surface condition: 13 vs one patient, p < 0.001 and eyes open, visual conflict and unstable surface condition: 12 vs one patient, p<0.001). Additionally, the differences between the TUGT were reduced in the Intervention group compared to Control (-3.65 +/- 3.61 vs 2.27 +/- 7.18 seconds, p< 0.001). Notably, this improvement was paralleled by a reduction in the number of falls/patient in the Intervention group compared to Control (-0.77 +/- 1.76 vs 0.33 +/- 0.96, p=0.018).
This longitudinal prospective study demonstrated that an intervention using balance training is effective in improving functional and static balance, mobility and falling frequency in elderly women with osteoporosis.
To characterize and quantify the sleep complaints of patients with fibromyalgia (FM) using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).
The PSQI was applied to 30 patients with FM according to American ...College of Rheumatology classification criteria and to 30 healthy controls in individual sessions under similar conditions.
The median global PSQI scores were median (25-75%) 12.0 (10-16) and 3.0 (2.0-5.0) in patients with FM and controls, respectively (p < 0.001). All PSQI component scores except sleep medications were significantly higher in patients than controls. Sleep latency, sleep disturbances, and daytime dysfunction were the most frequent sleep difficulties experienced by patients with FM.
Our results indicate that the PSQI is a useful instrument for characterizing and quantifying sleep disturbances in patients with FM.
To summarise the literature on the barriers to athletes seeking mental health treatment and cultural influencers of mental health in elite athletes.
Systematic review DATA SOURCES: PubMed, Cochrane, ...Scopus, SportDiscus (Ebsco), and PsycINFO (ProQuest) up to November 2018.
Qualitative and quantitative original studies of elite athletes (those who competed at the professional, Olympic, or collegiate/university levels), published in any language.
Stigma, low mental health literacy, negative past experiences with mental health treatment-seeking, busy schedules, and hypermasculinity are barriers to elite athletes seeking mental health treatment. Cultural influencers of mental health in elite athletes include: (1) the lack of acceptance of women as athletes; (2) lower acceptability of mental health symptoms and disorders among non-white athletes; (3) non-disclosure of religious beliefs; and (4) higher dependence on economic benefits. Coaches have an important role in supporting elite athletes in obtaining treatment for mental illness. Brief anti-stigma interventions in elite athletes decrease stigma and improve literary about mental health.
There is a need for various actors to provide more effective strategies to overcome the stigma that surrounds mental illness, increase mental health literacy in the athlete/coach community, and address athlete-specific barriers to seeking treatment for mental illness. In this systematic review, we identified strategies that, if implemented, can overcome the cultural factors that may otherwise limit athletes seeking treatment. Coaches are critical for promoting a culture within elite athletes' environments that encourages athletes to seek treatment.
This research is the first archaeometric investigation of Damirgaya and Trialeti painted rock art and pigments from grinding tools from the Neolithic settlement of Khramis Didi Gora, in South ...Caucasus, Georgia. The aims of this research are to characterise the rocks and pigments including identification of organic binder, as well as investigate the compatibility of inorganic pigments with locally available supplies and methods of production.
Stylistic similarities and influences are compared with adjacent archaeological sites from Armenia and Azerbaijan, where traces of monochromatic red pigment were recovered in settlements, barrows and artefacts.
Optical microscopy (OM) on loose samples and thin sections, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) were used to determine the mineralogical and chemical composition of the samples. Employing micro-Fourier-transform infrared (μ-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, compounds were further characterized in both rock paintings and grinding tools.
It was not possible to identify or ascertain the presence of binders, either because of their low concentration or complete molecular breakdown deterioration. From the pigment residues on both the rock art and grinding tools, hematite was the main colouring agent, with different associated minerals. For the rock samples, it was found that the rock art at Trialeti is on a dacite, whereas the one from Damirgaya is on a rock composed of quartz, with traces of iron oxides and phyllosilicates, suggesting that the rock originated from hydrothermal activity. The research presented here is the first chemical and mineralogical characterization of pigment residues and rock art from South Caucasian prehistory.
Timing performance of a multi-pad PICOSEC-Micromegas detector prototype Aune, S.; Bortfeldt, J.; Brunbauer, F. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
03/2021, Letnik:
993, Številka:
C
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The multi-pad PICOSEC-Micromegas is an improved detector prototype with a segmented anode, consisting of 19 hexagonal pads. Detailed studies are performed with data collected in a muon beam over four ...representative pads. We demonstrate that such a device, scalable to a larger area, provides excellent time resolution and detection efficiency. As expected from earlier single-cell device studies, we measure a time resolution of approximately 25 picoseconds for charged particles hitting near the anode pad centres, and up to 30 picoseconds at the pad edges. Here, we study in detail the effect of drift gap thickness non-uniformity on the timing performance and evaluate impact position based corrections to obtain a uniform timing response over the full detector coverage.
Timing performance of a Micro-Channel-Plate Photomultiplier Tube Bortfeldt, J.; Brunbauer, F.; David, C. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
04/2020, Letnik:
960, Številka:
C
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The spatial dependence of the timing performance of the R3809U-50 Micro-Channel-Plate PMT (MCP-PMT) by Hamamatsu was studied in high energy muon beams. Particle position information is provided by a ...GEM tracker telescope, while timing is measured relative to a second MCP-PMT, identical in construction. In the inner part of the circular active area (radius r<5.5 mm) the time resolution of the two MCP-PMTs combined is better than 10 ps. The signal amplitude decreases in the outer region due to less light reaching the photocathode, resulting in a worse time resolution. The observed radial dependence is in quantitative agreement with a dedicated simulation. With this characterization, the suitability of MCP-PMTs as t0 reference detectors has been validated.
The PICOSEC Micromegas detector can time the arrival of Minimum Ionizing Particles with a sub-25 ps precision. A very good timing resolution in detecting single photons is also demonstrated in laser ...beams. The PICOSEC timing resolution is determined mainly by the drift field. The arrival time of the signal and the timing resolution vary with the size of the pulse amplitude.
Detailed simulations based on GARFIELD++ reproduce the experimental PICOSEC timing characteristics. This agreement is exploited to identify the microscopic physical variables, which determine the observed timing properties. In these studies, several counter-intuitive observations are made for the behavior of such microscopic variables. In order to gain insight on the main physical mechanisms causing the observed behavior, a phenomenological model is constructed and presented. The model is based on a simple mechanism of “time-gain per interaction” and it employs a statistical description of the avalanche evolution. It describes quantitatively the dynamical and statistical properties of the microscopic quantities, which determine the PICOSEC timing characteristics, in excellent agreement with the simulations. In parallel, it offers phenomenological explanations for the behavior of these microscopic variables. The formulae expressing this model can be used as a tool for fast and reliable predictions, provided that the input parameter values (e.g. drift velocities) are known for the considered operating conditions.
Repetitive strain injuries are a common diagnostic label for musculoskeletal pain occurring at the workplace. Although many individuals present with diffuse pain, the diagnosis of fibromyalgia in ...this setting is rare. Our objective was to establish the point prevalence of the fibromyalgia syndrome in a population of assembly line workers in São Paulo, Brazil.
Methods.
Thirty-four workers with repetitive strain injuries diagnoses were studied and compared with 49 workers, pared by age, sex, and labor function. All individuals were studied by a comprehensive clinical protocol. Diagnosis of fibromyalgia syndrome was established when the 1990 American College of Rheumatology criteria for this syndrome were met.
Results.
Among the 34 workers with the diagnosis of repetitive strain injuries, 58.8% fulfilled the American College of Rheumatology criteria for fibromyalgia syndrome, while only 10.4% of the controls met the same criteria.
Conclusions.
Fibromyalgia syndrome was largely involved in the symptoms of patients with repetitive strain injuries, as opposed to coworkers with non-repetitive strain injuries. So, instead of the repetitive strain injuries label, many of these cases should be called fibromyalgic patients.
Deep diffused Avalanche photodiodes for charged particles timing Centis Vignali, M.; Dias De Almeida, P.; Franconi, L. ...
Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Section A, Accelerators, spectrometers, detectors and associated equipment,
04/2020, Letnik:
958, Številka:
C
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The upgrades of ATLAS and CMS for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) highlighted physics objects timing as a tool to resolve primary interactions within a bunch crossing. Since the expected pile-up is ...around 200, with an r.m.s. time spread of 180ps, a time resolution of about 30ps is needed. The timing detectors will experience a 1-MeV neutron equivalent fluence of about Φeq=1014 and 1015cm−2 for the barrel and end-cap regions, respectively. In this contribution, deep diffused Avalanche Photo Diodes (APDs) produced by Radiation Monitoring Devices are examined as candidate timing detectors for HL-LHC applications. To improve the detector’s timing performance, the APDs are used to directly detect the traversing particles, without a radiator medium where light is produced. Devices with an active area of 8 × 8mm2 were characterized in beam tests. The timing performance and signal properties were measured as a function of position on the detector using a beam telescope and a microchannel plate photomultiplier (MCP-PMT). Devices with an active area of 2 × 2mm2 were used to determine the effects of radiation damage and characterized using a ps pulsed laser. These detectors were irradiated with neutrons up to Φeq=1015cm−2.
This contribution describes the PICOSEC-Micromegas detector which achieves a time resolution below 25ps. In this device the passage of a charged particle produces Cherenkov photons in a radiator, ...which then generate electrons in a photocathode and these photoelectrons enter a two-stage Micromegas with a reduced drift region and a typical anode region. The results from single-channel prototypes (demonstrating a time resolution of 24ps for minimum ionizing particles, and 76ps for single photoelectrons), the understanding of the detector in terms of detailed simulations and a phenomenological model, the issues of robustness and how they are tackled, and preliminary results from a multi-channel prototype are presented (demonstrating that a timing resolution similar to that of the single-channel device is feasible for all points across the area covered by a multi-channel device).
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