Repositorio Institucional UCSC (Univ. Católica de la Santísima Concepción)
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The Impact of Virtual Reality in Modern Karate Training: Increasing Engagement Levels and Fitness of Elite Athletes
Get PDFAim. This study aims to analyze the effects of virtual reality on engagement and fitness.
Methods. This study adopted a mixed method. A total of 32 elite karate athletes from Palembang PGRI University (Indonesia) were recruited and allocated to the control (n = 15) or the virtual reality group (n = 17). Quantitative instruments used the Athlete Engagement Questionnaire to measure the level of engagement, and the hand grip test, standing board jump test, sit-and-reach test, 40-meter test, 4×9 m shuttle run test and bleep test to measure physical fitness. The instrument for qualitative research involved in-depth interviews.
Results. This study showed several findings in the quantitative study. First, there was no difference in the value of engagement and fitness between the control and virtual reality groups at the baseline stage. Second, there were significant differences in engagement and fitness values between the two groups at the post-intervention stage. The qualitative research showed that elite athletes revealed various perceptions that virtual reality is easy and interesting, but the price is high, and that users should have technology literacy, or it would be less meaningful.
Conclusions. This study confirms that virtual reality training was a positive and effective method to bring back engagement and physical fitness among elite Karate athletes
Anatomical analysis of the traditional postero-medial approach to the ankle and evaluation of structures at risk
No full textIntroduction
The presence of a fracture of the posterior malleolus gives a poor prognosis for ankle fractures. This study aimed to analyze the anatomical structures at risk in the traditional postero-medial (TPM) approach.
Methods
Of a total of 21 cadaveric pieces, 11 were female and 10 were male; 9 ankles/right foot and 11 ankles/left foot. The age of the specimens ranged between 66 and 98 years. The following statistical tests were performed: Median, Mean, SD and Mann Whitney non-parametric test.
Results
The p values associated with the statistical tests were calculated, obtaining all p values lower than the level of significance. Therefore, there is statistically significant evidence to reject the null hypothesis, that is, there is a difference in the medians of men and women, with respect to the 3 measurements. The evaluation of the anatomical structures at risk allowed us to measure the distance of the Posterior Tibial nerve, thus demonstrating that the approach was 20 mm above could cause injury. The difference in the measurements obtained between men and women had statistical significance.
Conclusion
Using the TPM (traditional postero-medial) approach it is possible to identify a large portion of the posterior malleolus both laterally and medially. The evaluation of the anatomical structures at risk allowed us to measure the distance of the Posterior Tibial nerve, thus demonstrating that the approach was 20 mm. above could cause injury. The difference in the measurements obtained between men and women had statistical significance. We intend to quantify visualization percentages using computed tomography in our next study
Climate-induced habitat shifts of farmed mussel species
No full textMarine mussels are one of the most important sources of cultivated shellfish worldwide, particularly among middle- and low-income countries where they are a key food source for coastal communities. Climate Change is bound to have a large impact on the distribution of suitable habitats for the mussel species cultivated throughout the world. To examine these impacts on mussel aquaculture and global food security, we evaluated the distribution of suitable current and future habitats for the six more widely cultivated mussel species under a Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 emission scenario using ecological niche modelling. Occurrence records were obtained from online databases and the literature. The models had a good performance in predicting the current distribution of the six study species. In future scenarios, suitable mussel habitats were projected to shift poleward, with gains at higher latitudes and losses at lower latitudes. By 2050, significant impacts were projected along the Mediterranean coast for Mytilus galloprovincialis, an important mariculture species in Europe, and in Southeast Asia for the tropical green mussel Perna viridis. Overall, our predictions suggested that range shifts could create opportunities to expand mussel farming to higher latitudes, yet loss of suitable habitat in historically productive growing areas could disrupt current mussel aquaculture regions, highlighting the need for immediate action. Therefore, achieving a more nuanced understanding of the spatial changes in the geographic distribution of suitable habitats should be the first step in increasing the adaptive capacity of the mussel aquaculture sector, and ensuring the future supply of this key source of aquafood
Marketing Components and Their Role on Fair Trade in Coffee Agriculture: A Scoping Review
Get PDFThe aim of this study is to conduct a scoping review of the literature on the marketing environment and Fair Trade in the coffee industry, identifying its contribution to organizations and society. Quantitative studies were selected from databases such as Web of Science and Scopus, following a selection process aligned with the PRISMA methodological guidelines and establishing eligibility criteria for articles using the PICOS strategy. To understand the effects of macromarketing, strategic marketing, and operational marketing on the development of the Fair Trade coffee market, the results demonstrate that marketing plays a significant role in the market’s growth. Specifically, marketing is crucial in communicating the value of Fair Trade, raising consumer awareness, and supporting the economic well-being of coffee producers. Ethical consumption and branding strategies are essential for positioning Fair Trade coffee in competitive markets. However, further studies are needed to corroborate these findings and provide more up-to-date perspectives
Use of the Balance Rehabilitation Unit (BRU) in vestibular dysfunction: A systematic review of its diagnostic and therapeutic applications
No full textLa Unidad de Rehabilitación del Equilibrio (URE) ha emergido como una herramienta prometedora en la evaluación y tratamiento de disfunciones vestibulares. En este sentido, este estudio analizó la evidencia científica sobre su uso clínico mediante una revisión sistemática guiada por las directrices PRISMA. En la mayoría de los estudios (80%), la URE se aplicó para medir el centro de presión (COP) y la velocidad de oscilación (VOS), mostrando mejoras significativas tras las intervenciones. Asimismo, comparada con tratamientos convencionales, demostró mejores resultados en estos parámetros, lo que refuerza su utilidad en rehabilitación. Sin embargo, la ausencia de valores normativos limita su aplicación diagnóstica, lo que hace necesario seguir investigando para establecer referencias claras que guíen su uso clínico
Spatio-temporal variability of remote sensing reflectance from MODIS imagery for water quality assessment: A case study of Northern Patagonia, Chile
No full textCoastal wetlands are highly threatened by human activities, leading to water quality degradation and biodiversity loss. This study assessed spatial variation in 27 water quality parameters, sediment organic matter, and macroinvertebrate assemblages across 12 sites in the estuarine Cruces River wetland (CRW Ramsar site, southern Chile) during summer 2019. Our analysis identified three areas of sampling stations in the wetland, categorized by trophic gradient and salinity: freshwater (n = 5), mixed (n = 3), and estuary (n = 4). Freshwater sites were characterized by low salinity, turbidity, and high nitrate concentrations. Estuarine sites were characterized by higher salinities and turbidity and low nitrates and total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations, and mixed sites had low salinities, high turbidities, high TOC, and low nitrates. Throughout the CRW, the richness and densities of different invertebrates were recorded. Freshwater stations had higher species richness, and estuary stations had higher abundance. Macroinvertebrates found in the lower reaches of the CRW included species characteristic of estuarine environments, whereas the upper stations were dominated by invertebrates inhabiting low-salinity environments. According to the ordination plot of distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA) and distance-based linear model (DistLM), our results indicate that macroinvertebrate assemblages differ significantly among areas of the CRW, primarily due to physicochemical variables (i.e., salinity, total carbon, and dissolved phosphorus). Total organic matter content in sediments was higher in freshwater sites and lower in estuarine sites. Our findings will be used to monitor the wetland and implement appropriate management measures for human activities, thereby protecting and conserving the estuarine Cruces River Ramsar wetland
Competencia Mediática del profesorado sudamericano: una revisión sistemática de la literatura
Get PDFObjetivo: Este artículo tiene como objetivo analizar las investigaciones recientes sobre la competencia mediática del profesorado en Sudamérica, con el fin de describir sus objetivos, métodos y hallazgos principales. Metodología: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura utilizando el método PRISMA, que incluyó la búsqueda en bases de datos como SciELO, Scopus y WoS. De un total de 1478 artículos identificados, se seleccionaron cuatro tras aplicar criterios de inclusión rigurosos. Resultados: Los estudios analizados se basan en un modelo teórico común y emplean principalmente un enfoque cuantitativo. Además, se observó que todos los estudios fueron liderados por equipos internacionales de investigadores asociados a una misma red. Conclusiones: Todos los estudios coinciden en la necesidad de desarrollar programas de formación en alfabetización mediática para el profesorado sudamericano, con el objetivo de mejorar sus niveles de competencia mediática y enfrentar los desafíos del nuevo ecosistema comunicativo
Trans students at university: A systematic review of educational inclusion studies
No full textEl objetivo de la investigación fue analizar los estudios llevados a cabo sobre la inclusión educativa del estudiantado trans en el nivel universitario. Para realizar el proceso se puso en práctica una revisión sistemática de la literatura por medio de los criterios PRISMA. Se ejecutó una búsqueda exhaustiva en las bases Wos, Scopus y Scielo donde se incluyeron 227 trabajos. Una vez aplicados los criterios se obtuvieron 13 artículos. Los resultados indican que, algunas universidades han apostado por la construcción de entornos educativos inclusivos configurando una cultura empática y comprensiva. Además, los temas de interés se abordan desde las trayectorias de éxito académico, actitudes y conocimientos sobre diversidad sexual, políticas educativas inclusivas, discriminación, lenguaje inclusivo e integración curricular. Queda en evidencia que las investigaciones se mueven a escenarios asociados a las trayectorias de éxito. Se concluye, que no existe un proceso genuino de inclusión educativa, en su lugar este proceso es asociado más a la integración. La ambigüedad entre resultados positivos y negativos concreta que su incorporación no es integral, se trata de normalizar o aceptar su existencia
Development of an efficient micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cell stack for intermediate temperature hydrogen-fueled energy generation
No full textSince last decade, hydrogen-fueled Micro-Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (MT-SOFCs)-based energy conversion technologies have attracted much attention due to their excellent ability to fast start-up, high tolerance to thermal cycling, high power density and superior mechanical strength. MT-SOFCs stacks have recently emerged as promising candidates for the development of environment-friendly power sources from fixed power generation to portable power. In this work, we present the early development of an original and efficient MT-SOFCs stack configuration for operation at the intermediate temperature regime (600 °C) based on four anode-supported NiO-GDC(Gadolinium-Doped Ceria)/GDC/LSCF(Lanthanum Strontium Cobalt Ferrite)-GDC cells in serial assembly. Cells were fabricated by extrusion method using different nanocomposite powders for anode, electrolyte and cathode synthesized by solution-combustion method. The best performance was achieved using a mixed fuel injection based on Air(500 [mL/min])/N2(400 [mL/min])/H2(100 [mL/min]) reaching a maximum power density of 0.38 [W/cm2] and open circuit voltage of 3 [V], which represents competitive performance concerning current SOFC technologies. Our four MT-SOFCs stack was successfully applied for power feeding of low-consumption electronic devices like cellphones, demonstrating its gross potential for applications in powering portable technologies
Vitamin D and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications—A Narrative Review
Get PDFVitamin D has been widely studied for its implications on type 2 diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition characterized by insulin resistance, inflammation, and metabolic dysfunction. This review explores the molecular mechanisms underpinning vitamin D’s effects on glucose metabolism, inflammation, and adipogenesis, while assessing its potential clinical applications in type 2 diabetes. In its 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 form, vitamin D modulates various metabolic processes, affecting proinflammatory cytokines and activating the AMPK pathway, inhibiting mTOR signaling, and promoting adipocyte differentiation. These effects enhance insulin sensitivity and reduce chronic inflammation, key contributors to metabolic dysfunction. In this context, the progression of prediabetes has been linked to vitamin D, which limits pathological progression and increases the likelihood of restoring a normal metabolic state, crucial in diabetes progression. Moreover, vitamin D has been reported to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes by 15%, particularly in doses higher than the traditional recommendations for bone health. Despite promising evidence, discrepancies in study designs, serum vitamin D measurements, and population-specific factors highlight the need for standardized methodologies and personalized approaches. In conclusion, vitamin D has complementary therapeutic potential in treating type 2 diabetes, revealing gaps in research, such as optimal dosing and long-term effects across populations. Future studies should integrate molecular insights into clinical practice to optimize vitamin D’s impact on metabolic health