Introdução: A força muscular periférica e respiratória pode estar reduzida em pacientes com doença pulmonar obstrutiva crônica (DPOC). O impacto desta redução sobre a capacidade de realizar atividades e exercícios não é bem conhecida. Objetivos: Comparar a força muscular periférica e respiratória e o desempenho no teste da caminhada de 6 minutos (TC6) e no teste de senta e levanta de 1 minuto (TSL) em indivíduos com e sem DPOC e estudar o impacto da força muscular nos dois testes. Métodos: Foram estudados 21 pacientes com DPOC (13 homens, idade de 63±7 anos, volume expiratório forçado no primeiro segundo - VEF1 – 1,14±0,54, 42±18% do previsto) e 21 indivíduos sem DPOC (13 homens, idade 64±7 anos, VEF1 2,64±0,65, 106±21% do previsto). Todos os indivíduos realizaram espirometria, avaliação da pressão inspiratória máxima (PImáx) e expiratória máxima (PEmáx), teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM) para avaliar força do quadríceps, TC6 e TSL. Resultados: Quando comparados com controles pacientes com DPOC apresentaram valores inferiores de PImáx (77±23 cm H2O vs 102±18 cm H2O, p=0,0001), PEmáx (100±26 cm H2O vs 127±23 cm H2O, p=0,001), força do quadríceps (17±5 Kg vs 23±4 Kg, p=0,0001), distância no TC6 (405±76 m vs 539±48 m, p=0,0001) e repetições no TSL (25±6 vs 35±6, p=0,0001). No grupo de 42 indivíduos a distância percorrida no TC6 se associou com o VEF1 (r=0,80, p=0,0001), com a PImáx (r=0,59, p=0,0001), com a PEmáx (r=0,63, p=0,0001), com a SpO2 basal (r=0,61, p=0,0001) e com a força do quadríceps (r=0,63, p=0,0001). Num modelo multivariado o VEF1, a PImáx e a dispneia basal explicaram 81% da variabilidade da distância percorrida no TC6. Em relação ao TSL as melhores correlações foram observadas com o VEF1 (r=0,55, p=0,0001) e com a força do quadríceps (r=0,50, p=0,0001) e associação mais fraca foi observada com as pressões respiratórias máximas (r=0,34, p=0,02). A distância percorrida no TC6 se associou com o número de repetições no TSL (r=0,61, p=0,0001). Conclusões: Pacientes com DPOC tem redução da força muscular do quadríceps e das pressões respiratórias e um pior desempenho no TC6 e no TSL em relação aos controles. Tanto a força muscular do quadríceps como as pressões respiratórias influenciam o desempenho nos dois testes. Entretanto, o impacto da força do quadríceps sobre a distância percorrida parece depender do VEF1. Observamos uma relação forte entre a distância percorrida e o número de elevações no TST, sugerindo que o TST possa ter um papel na avaliação funcional de pacientes com DPOC. / Introduction: Peripheral and respiratory muscle strength may be reduced in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The impact of this reduction on the ability to perform activities and exercises is not well known. Aims: To compare the peripheral and respiratory muscle strength and the performance in a 6-minute walk test (6MWT) and a sit-to-stand test (STST) in subjects with and without COPD and to study the impact of the muscle strength on both tests. Methods: We studied 21 patients with COPD (13 men, age 63±7 years, forced expiratory volume in one second, FEV1 1.14±0.54, 42 ± 18% predicted ) and 21 subjects without COPD (13 men, age 64±7 years, FEV1 2.64±0.65, 106±21% predicted). All subjects underwent spirometry, maximal inspiratory (MIP) and expiratory pressure (MEP), one-repetition maximum (1RM) to evaluate quadriceps strength, 6MWT and STST. Results: When compared to controls patients with COPD showed lower values of MIP (77±23 cm H2O vs. 102±18 cm H2O, p=0.0001), MEP (100±26 cm H2O vs 127±23 cm H2O, p=0.001), quadriceps strength (17 ± 5 kg vs. 23 ± 4 kg, p=0.0001), distance in 6MWT (405±76 m vs 539±48 m, p = 0.0001) and repetitions in STST (25±6 vs 35±6, p=0.0001). The walked distance was associated with FEV1 (r=0.80, p=0.0001), MIP (r=0.59, p=0.0001), MEP (r=0.63, p=0.0001), baseline SpO2 (r=0.61, p=0.0001) and quadriceps strength (r=0.63, p=0.0001). In a multivariate model FEV1, MIP and baseline dyspnea explained 81% of the walked distance variance in 6MWT. Regarding the TSL, the best correlations were observed with FEV1 (r=0.55, p=0.0001) and quadriceps strength (r=0.495, p = 0.0001) while a weaker association was observed with the maximal respiratory pressures (r=0.34, p=0.02). The distance walked in 6MWT was associated with the number of repetitions in TSL (r=0.61, p=0.0001). Conclusions: Patients with COPD have reduced quadriceps muscle strength and respiratory pressures and a worse performance in the 6MWT and STST in relation to controls. Both the quadriceps muscle strength and respiratory pressure influenced the performance in both tests. However, the impact of quadriceps strength on the walked distance seems to depend on FEV1. We observed a strong relationship between distance and number of elevations in STST, suggesting that STST may have a role in the functional evaluation of patients with COPD.

Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar mecanismos pelos quais rearranjos cromossômicos aparentemente equilibrados possam estar associados de maneira causal a determinados quadros clínicos. Para isso estudamos seis translocações cromossômicas aparentemente equilibradas, detectadas em pacientes com malformações congênitas, comprometimento neuropsicomotor ou déficit intelectual. Os pontos de quebra desses rearranjos foram mapeados por hibridação in situ fluorescente (FISH). A busca por microdeleções e duplicações genômicas foi realizada por a-CGH. Estudamos duas translocações esporádicas, t(7;17)(p.13;q24) e t(17;20)(q24.3;q11.2), nas quais os pontos de quebra no cromossomo 17 foram localizados, respectivamente, a 917-855 kb e 624-585 kb upstream ao gene SOX9, em segmentos sem genes mapeados. Ambos os portadores apresentavam alterações esqueléticas que indicaram o diagnóstico de displasia campomélica acampomélica. Não foram detectados desequilíbrios cromossômicos submicroscópicos por a-CGH. Essas translocações podem levar à expressão alterada do gene SOX9, ao afetar a região reguladora desse gene. Sequências dos outros cromossomos participantes da translocação, que foram aproximadas ao gene pelo rearranjo, também podem ter afetado sua expressão. O estudo dos rearranjos t(7;17) e t(17;20) forneceu informação para o entendimento da região reguladora do gene. As manifestações clínicas associadas à t(17;20) permitiram redefinir o limite distal do cluster distal de rearranjos do cromossomo 17 associados ao espectro de manifestações clínicas do SOX9. A presença de testículo no portador dessa translocação indicou um elemento conservado candidato a atuar como enhancer do SOX9, para o desenvolvimento do testículo. Duas outras translocações equilibradas estavam associadas a desequilíbrios submicroscópicos em cis aos pontos de quebra. Caracterizamos uma t(10;21)(p13;q22) esporádica associada a atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor, microcefalia e espasticidade generaliza. Os pontos de quebra dos cromossomos 10 e 21, foram mapeados, respectivamente, em segmentos de 440 kb e 172 kb. Três genes estão mapeados no segmento que contém o ponto de quebra do cromossomo 10 e três outros, no intervalo delimitado para o ponto de quebra no cromossomo 21. O gene CDNF, que pode ter sido interrompido pelo ponto de quebra do cromossomo 10, é altamente expresso no sistema nervoso. A análise por meio de a-CGH detectou quatro deleções no cromossomo 10 todas de novo, indicando a complexidade do rearranjo. Duas deleções estavam próximas ao ponto de quebra: uma deleção de 973 kb em 10p14 e uma outra de 1,15 Mb em 10p13, mapeadas a 3,27 Mb e 210 kb do ponto de quebra da translocação, respectivamente. Outras duas deleções no cromossomo 10 ocorreram no braço longo: uma deleção de 700 kb em 10q26.13 estaria a 110,10 Mb do ponto de quebra da translocação, mas não conseguimos mapeá-la por FISH; uma outra deleção de 1,66 Mb em 10q26.2-q26.3 foi mapeada a 114,68 Mb do ponto de quebra da translocação. Quatorze genes estão localizados nas regiões das microdeleções. Os genes GPR26, OPTN, CUGBP2 são altamente expressos no sistema nervoso e, assim como o CNDF, podem ser considerados candidatos ao efeito fenotípico. O modelo de chromothripsis, em que o rearranjo resulta de uma série de quebras na dupla fita do DNA, seguida de ligação aleatória dos fragmentos resultantes, pode explicar a formação da translocação t(10;21). Aplicando a-CGH no estudo de uma translocação t(X;22)(q22;q13) esporádica, detectamos duplicações de 490 kb e 570 kb, respectivamente, em 22q13 e Xq22. A análise por FISH revelou que as cópias adicionais desses segmentos estavam localizadas nos pontos de quebra dos cromossomos derivativos X (segmento duplicado de 22q13) e 22 (segmento duplicado de Xq22). Não há genes mapeados no segmento duplicado do cromossomo 22. Um dos 14 genes duplicados no cromossomo X é o PLP1 (proteolipid protein 1), cujas mutações de ponto e duplicações causam a doença de Pelizaeus- Merzbacher, caracterizada pela hipomielinização do sistema nervoso central e afetando quase que exclusivamente indivíduos do sexo masculino. O exame neurológico, incluindo ressonância magnética, mostrou que o quadro clínico da paciente é compatível com o da doença de Pelizaeus-Merzbacher. A análise do padrão de inativação do cromossomo X em linfócitos de sangue periférico da paciente, com base na metilação do gene AR e também citologicamente em metáfases, após incorporação de 5-BrdU, revelou que, na maioria das células, o cromossomo X normal está inativo. Esse padrão de inativação torna as células funcionalmente equilibradas quanto aos segmentos translocados. O PLP1, entretanto, tem uma cópia adicional no cromossomo 22, além das cópias localizadas nos cromossomos X e der(X). Portanto, duas cópias ativas do gene estão presentes nas células da portadora da t(X;22). O mecanismo de formação de rearranjos cromossômicos baseado em bolhas de replicação explicaria a formação de translocações com duplicação em ambos os pontos de quebra, como ocorreu nessa t(X;22). Estudamos também uma aparente t(2;22)(p14;q12) familial que cossegregava com quadro de atraso do desenvolvimento neuropsicomotor e dificuldade de aprendizado associados a dismorfismos craniofaciais e alterações de mãos. A identificação de duplicações e deleções submicroscópicas, por meio de a-CGH e sua validação por FISH revelaram que se tratava, na verdade, de rearranjo, complexo entre três cromossomos 2, 5 e 22: um segmento de 1,2 Mb de 2p14 inseriu-se no braço curto do cromossomo 5, um evento que pode ter causado a deleção de um segmento de 1,4 Mb em 5p15.1; no cromossomo derivativo der(22) um segmento adicional de 5q23.2- 23.3 inseriu-se no ponto de quebra. Todos os afetados da família eram portadores do der(2) e do der(22). No entanto, o der(5) não segregava com o quadro clínico e foi detectado em um individuo fenotipicamente normal da família. Todos os afetados eram portadores da duplicação de 6,6 Mb do braço longo do cromossomo 5 (5q23.2-23.3). Os 17 genes duplicados são candidatos para o quadro clínico, por aumento da dosagem de seus produtos. Outra alteração comum a todos os afetados foi a haploinsuficiência do gene SLC1A4 mapeado em 2p14 e altamente expresso no sistema nervoso. É interessante que a deleção em 2p14, consequente à ausência do der(5), está restrita aos dois afetados que aparentam tem maior déficit cognitivo. Além do SLC1A4 , quatro genes mapeados nesse segmento CEP68, RAB1A, ACTR2 e SPRED2 podem contribuir para a variabilidade clínica dos afetados. A translocação t(2;5;22) pode ter-se originado a partir de duas quebras no braço curto do cromossomo 2, duas no braço curto e duas outras no braço longo do cromossomo 5 e uma quebra no braço longo do cromossomo 22. As quebras teriam ocorrido simultaneamente em um único evento. Após reunião de extremidades quebradas, formaram-se os cromossomos derivativos. Investigamos por a-CGH uma t(2;16)(q35;q24.1) esporádica cujos pontos de quebra foram mapeados anteriormente por FISH; nenhum gene estava mapeado nos segmentos que continham esses pontos de quebra. Não detectamos desequilíbrios cromossômicos submicroscópicos. A paciente portadora da translocação t(2;16) tinha quatro dígitos nas duas mãos e hexadactilia nos pés. A cerca de 1 Mb do ponto de quebra do cromossomo 2 está mapeado o gene IHH, que atua no desenvolvimento dos membros. A translocação pode ter interrompido elemento regulador do IHH ou separado o gene de elemento(s) regulador(es), levando à alteração de sua expressão e ao fenótipo. Este estudo fornece evidência adicional da importância da busca de desequilíbrios cromossômicos submicroscópicos em associação com rearranjos aparentemente equilibrados. Em três das seis translocações estudadas - t(10;21), t(2;22), t(X;22) - foram detectados desequilíbrios cromossômicos submicroscópicos em cis aos pontos de quebra, que podem ser responsáveis pelas manifestações clínicas dos portadores. Este estudo ressalta ainda a importância da técnica de FISH na análise dos desequilíbrios cromossômicos detectados por array, permitindo determinar a relação entre as perdas ou ganhos de segmentos submicroscópicos e os rearranjos equilibrados. A caracterização de rearranjos equilibrados neste estudo também contribuiu para sugerir mecanismos para sua formação / This study aimed at identifying mechanisms that lead to phenotypic abnormalities in carriers of balanced chromosomal rearrangements. We studied six apparently balanced chromosomal translocations detected in patients with congenital malformations, intellectual impairment or neuropsychomotor delay. Breakpoint mapping of apparently balanced chromosomal rearrangements was performed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), and cryptic genomic imbalances were investigated by array comparative genomic hybridization (a-CGH). We studied two sporadic translocations, t(7;17) (p13;q24) and t(17;20) (q24.3,q11.2). The breakpoints were located on chromosome 17, respectively, 917-855 kb and 624-585 kb upstream the SOX9 gene. There are no genes mapped to these segments. Patients had skeletal abnormalities that led to the diagnosis of acampomelic campomelic dysplasia. No submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances were detected by a-CGH. These translocations can alter gene expression by directly disrupting regulatory elements or by a position effect. The translocation t(7;17) and (17;20) provided additional information regarding the regulatory region of SOX9. The clinical manifestations associated with the translocation t(17;20) allowed the redefining of the limits of the distal breakpoint cluster of rearrangements on chromosome 17, which are associated with SOX9-related disorders. A conserved element was identified as a candidate SOX9 enhancer for testis development. Two additional sporadic translocations were associated with submicroscopic imbalances in cis to the breakpoints: t(10;21) and t(X;22). The translocation t(10;21)(p13;q22) was present in a girl with delayed motor development, microcephaly and generalized spasticity. The breakpoints on chromosomes 10 and 21 were mapped to 440 kb and 172 kb segments, respectively. Among the genes mapped to these breakpoint regions, only CDNF on chromossome 10, is highly expressed in the nervous system. Four de novo deletions on chromosome 10 were identified by a-CGH, revealing the complexity of the rearrangement. Two deletions were located at the vicinity of the translocation breakpoint: a 973 kb deletion on 10p14 and a 1.15 Mb deletion on 10p13 located, respectively, 3.27 Mb and 210 kb distal to the translocation breakpoint. Two other deletions were detected on the long arm of chromosome 10: a 700 kb deletion on 10q26.13, located 110.10 Mb distal to the translocation breakpoint, which we could not mapped by FISH; and a 1.66 Mb deletion on 10q26.2-q26.3, located 114.68 Mb distal to the translocation breakpoint. Fourteen genes are mapped to the microdeletion regions. Among these genes, GPR26, OPTN, CUGBP2 are highly expressed in the nervous system and, together with CNDF, are candidates for having clinical effects. The chromothripsis model, in which rearrangements result from a series of simultaneous double-stranded breaks followed by random joining of chromosomal fragments, might explain the formation of this t(10,21) translocation. Applying a-CGH to the apparently balanced translocation t(X;22)(q22;q13) carried by a girl, we detected duplicated segments on 22q13 and Xq22, encompassing 490 kb and 570 kb, respectively. FISH analysis revealed that the additional copies were located to the breakpoints of the derivative X chromosome (22q13 duplicated segment) and of the derivative 22 chromosome (Xq22 duplicated segment). No genes are mapped to the duplicated segment of chromosome 22. One of the 14 duplicated genes on the X chromosome is PLP1 (proteolipid protein 1). PLP1 point mutations and duplications cause Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease, characterized by hypomyelination of the central nervous system, and affecting almost exclusively males. Neurological examination of the patient, including MRI showed that her clinical manifestations were compatible with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. The pattern of X chromosome inactivation was determined in peripheral blood lymphocytes, based on the AR gene methylation, and cytologically, in metaphases spreads, after 5-BrdU incorporation, and showed that the normal X chromosome was the inactive one in the majority of cells. This pattern of X inactivation makes cells functionally balanced for the translocated segments. A copy of the PLP1 gene, however, is present on chromosome 22, in addition to the copies located on the chromosomes X and der(X). Thus, two active copies of the gene are present in the cells, irrespective of the X-inactivation pattern. A mechanism based on replication bubbles can explain the formation of translocations with duplication at the breakpoints, such as this t(X;22). An apparently balanced familial translocation t(2;22)(p13;q12.2) was detected in association with learning disability and craniofacial and hand dysmorphisms. The combination of a-CGH and FISH revealed that the rearrangement, identified by Gbanding as a two-break balanced translocation, was a more complex three-chromosome rearrangement: a segment from chromosome 2 was inserted into chromosome 5 short arm, an event that probably caused a 5p15.1 deletion; on chromosome 22 a segment from 5q23.2-23.3 was inserted into the breakpoint. Chromosomes der(2) and der(22) were present in all affected individuals. However, the der(5) did not segregate with the clinical phenotype, and was detected in a phenotypically normal individual. The 6.6 Mb duplication of the long arm of chromosome 5 was the imbalance common to all affected individuals. The 17 genes in this region are candidates for the clinical phenotypes through dosage effect. In addition, common to all affected individuals is the haploinsufficiency of SLC1A4, a gene highly expressed in the nervous system, which is encompassed by the deletion on chromosome 2. Interestingly, learning disabilities were more pronounced in those patients who also carried chromosome 2 deletion. CEP68, RAB1A, ACTR2 and SPRED2, mapped to this deleted segment, might contribute to the variability of the clinical phenotype in the family. The translocation t(2;5;22) might have originated from a series of simultaneously occurring brakes, two on the short arm of chromosome 2, four breaks on the short arm and two on the long arm of chromosome 5, and one break on the long arm of chromosome 22. We also investigated by a-CGH a sporadic translocation t(2;16)(q35;q24.1) whose carrier had hand and feet defects. Submicroscopic imbalances were not detected. Previously performed FISH delimited the breakpoints segments on chromosomes 2 and 16, which encompassed no genes. The IHH gene, which is involved in limb development, is located approximately 1 Mb upstream chromosome 2 breakpoint. Therefore, the translocation might have disrupted a regulatory element of IHH or, alternatively, separated the gene from a regulatory region, thus altering IHH expression. This study provides further evidence for the occurrence of submicroscopic chromosomal imbalances in association with apparently balanced rearrangements. In three out of six translocations - t(10,21), t(2;5;22), t(X;22) - cryptic duplications/deletions in cis to the breakpoints were detected, which might account for the clinical manifestations of the patients. This study also highlights the importance of FISH in the analysis of genomic imbalances detected by array in determining how losses and gains of submicroscopic segments relate to the rearranged chromosomes. The characterization of the balanced translocations in this study also contributed to suggest mechanisms for their formation

Background: Several studies show that sedentary is harmful to humans. Despite this, the degree of sedentary increases and 75% of the total time of sedentary is at the workplace. A common way to reduce sedentary is to introduce sit-stand workstations. Studies show that this gives good effects during working hours but few have studied what those providing for effects after working hours. Objective: Study office workers to see if there is a difference in the frequency and duration of physical activity and estimation of physical problems after a working day if they were sedentary or varied its working position by using a sit-stand workstation. Method: 20 office workers measured the frequency and duration of physical activity and estimated physical problems through a diary and a questionnaire after work. Results: No significant differences were detected. Conclusions: It is not possible to draw any general conclusions from this study as the sample is small and measurement methods are only subjective. More studies are needed where you look at what happens after working hours in the future to ensure the pros and cons of sit-stand worskstations. / Bakgrund: De senaste åren har det kommit ett flertal studier som visar att stillasittande är skadligt för människan. Trots detta ökar graden av stillasittande och 75 % av den totala tiden av stillasittande sker på arbetsplatsen där kontorsarbetare är de som rapporterar högst andel stillasittande. Mot bakgrund av detta är därför arbetsplatsen ett bra forum att arbeta med hälsofrämjande insatser för att minska tiden av stillasittande. Ett vanligt sätt för att minska stillasittandet är att införa höj- och sänkbara skrivbord. Flertal studier visar att detta ger goda effekter under arbetstid. Ett område som dock är mindre forskat på är vad möjligheten att kunna variera sin arbetsposition med ett höj- och sänkbart bord har för effekter för individen efter arbetstid. Syfte: Att studera kontorsanställda för att se om det föreligger en skillnad i frekvens och duration av fysisk aktivitet samt skattning av fysiska besvär efter en arbetsdag. Detta beroende på om de varierat sin arbetsposition regelbundet genom användning av ett höj-och sänkbart skrivbord jämfört med om de intagit en sittande arbetsposition. Metod: Kvasiexperimentell studie med inompersonsdesign. 20 kontorsanställda fick mäta frekvens och duration av fysisk aktivitet samt skatta fysisk besvärsförekomst via dagbok och enkätformulär efter arbetsdagen. Resultat: Resultatet visar att det inte förelåg några signifikanta skillnader mellan om försökspersonen suttit eller varierat arbetsposition. De tendenser som kunnat påvisas är små men tyder på en något minskad frekvens och ökad duration av fysisk aktivitet efter att ha varierat arbetsposition. Skattning av fysisk besvärsförekomst var oförändrad. Slutsatser: Det går inte att dra några generella slutsatser av denna studie då urvalet är litet och mätmetoderna endast subjektiva. Fler studier behövs där man tittar på vad som händer efter arbetstid för att i framtiden kunna säkerställa för- och nackdelar med höj- och sänkbara skrivbord.

Arctic sea ice has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent decades, including a substantial reduction in sea ice extent in summer months. Such changes, combined with relatively recent advancements in seasonal (1-12 months) to decadal forecasting, have prompted a rapidly-growing body of research on forecasting Arctic sea ice on seasonal timescales. These forecasts are anticipated to benefit a vast array of end-users whose activities are dependent on Arctic sea ice conditions. The research goal of this thesis is to address fundamental challenges pertaining to seasonal forecasts of Arcitc sea ice, with a particular focus placed on improving operational sea ice forecasts in the Canadian Seasonal to Interannual Prediction System (CanSIPS). Seasonal forecasts are strongly dependent on the accuracy of observations used as initial condition inputs. A key challenge initializing Arctic sea ice is the sparse availability of Arctic sea ice thickness (SIT) observations. I present on the development of three statistical models that can be used for estimating Arctic SIT in real time for sea ice forecast initialization. The three statistical models are shown to vary in their ability to capture the recent thinning of sea ice, as well as their ability to capture interannual variations in SIT anomalies; however, each of the models is shown to dramatically improve the representation of SIT compared to the climatological SIT estimates used to initialize CanSIPS. I conduct a thorough assessment of sea ice hindcast skill using the Canadian Climate Model, version 3 (one of two models used in CanSIPS), in which the dependence of hindcast skill on SIT initialization is investigated. From this assessment, it can be concluded that all three statistical models are able to estimate SIT sufficiently to improve hindcast skill relative to the climatological initialization. However, the accuracy with which the initialization fields represent both the thinning of the ice pack over time and interannual variability impacts predictive skill for pan-Arctic sea ice area (SIA) and regional sea ice concentration (SIC), with the most robust improvements obtained with two statistical models that adequately represent both processes. The final goal of this thesis is to improve the quantification of uncertainty in seasonal forecasts of regional Arctic sea ice coverage. Information regarding forecast uncertainty is crucial for end-users who want to quantify the risk associated with trusting a particular forecast. I develop statistical post-processing methodology for improving probabilistic forecasts of Arctic SIC. The first of these improvements is intended to reduce sampling uncertainty by fitting ensemble SIC forecasts to a parametric probability distribution, namely the zero- and one- inflated beta (BEINF) distribution. It is shown that overall, probabilistic forecast skill is improved using the parametric distribution relative to a simpler count-based approach; however, model biases can degrade this skill improvement. The second of these improvements is the introduction of a novel calibration method, called trend-adjusted quantile mapping (TAQM), that explicitly accounts for SIC trends and is specifically designed for the BEINF distribution. It is shown that applying TAQM greatly reduces model errors, and results in probabilistic forecast skill that generally surpasses that of a climatological reference forecast, and to some degree that of a trend-adjusted climatological reference forecast, particularly at shorter lead times. / Graduate

O objetivo do trabalho é investigar como as condições biomecânicas de portadores de Osteoartrite (OA) de joelho afetam a capacidade de realizar atividades de vida diária. Participaram desse estudo 39 indivíduos, sendo 18 indivíduos com OA de joelho bilateral grau 3, na escala Kellgren Lawrence, e 21 indivíduos saudáveis. Foram utilizadas duas plataformas de força (AMTI) para registrar a Força de Reação do Solo, cinco câmeras (Sistema Vicon) para registrar as variações angulares das articulações do quadril, joelho e tornozelo, nos planos sagital e frontal, e cinco sensores de eletromiografia wireless (Sistema Noraxon) para registrar as atividades dos músculos reto femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA) e gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) no segmento dominante (segmento D) dos sujeitos do grupo controle e no segmento com maior gravidade de lesão nos indivíduos com OA (segmento OA). Também foram calculados por meio de dinâmica inversa os momentos articulares nos planos sagital e frontal. Três atividades de vida diária foram investigadas, a marcha, o levantar e sentar em uma cadeira e o descer de um degrau de 20cm. Nos resultados, foi observada uma menor variação angular de forma geral nas articulações do quadril e joelho. Não foi observada diferença nas cargas mecânicas aplicadas ao aparelho locomotor. Nas três atividades cotidianas, os indivíduos com OA apresentaram adução no quadril e abdução no joelho, que denota um alinhamento em valgo durante a execução das tarefas. Poucas diferenças foram observadas nos momentos articulares flexores e extensores, nas três atividades de vida diária investigadas. No levantar e sentar menores momentos extensores foram observados no joelho durante as duas fases do movimento. Nos momentos adutores, poucas diferenças foram observadas na marcha. No levantar e sentar, o segmento OA não apresentou momentos adutores de joelho maiores que nos outros segmentos. No descer degrau, o segmento CL apresentou maior momento adutor que o segmento OA e D. De forma geral, as diferenças na ativação muscular indicam maior intensidade de ativação no grupo controle. O músculo VL nas três atividades apresentou intensidade de ativação menor nos indivíduos com OA. Observou-se maior co-ativação na marcha e no descer degrau, mas não no levantar e sentar. Na marcha a maior co-ativação ocorreu nas três articulações. No descer degrau, ocorreu no quadril e no joelho. Nas três atividades, maior co-contração foi observada e principalmente no joelho. Conclui-se que as alterações na técnica de movimento mostram-se tarefa dependente. As alterações na execução do movimento no plano sagital não foram suficientes para afetar o controle das cargas mecânicas, na marcha e no descer degrau. Apenas na tarefa de levantar e sentar surgiu algum indicio de que a eficiência seria pior. O alinhamento no joelho e os momentos adutores não sugerem maior magnitude de força no compartimento medial do joelho. Aparentemente, as características temporais sejam mais sensíveis à presença da OA no joelho do que a intensidade de ativação / The aim of this study is to investigate the biomechanical characteristics of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) and hoe it affects the ability to perform daily living activities. Thirty nine subjects participated in this study, 18 subjects with bilateral knee OA grade 3 Kellgren Lawrence scale) and 21 healthy individuals. Two force platforms (AMTI) were used to register the Grourd Reaction Force (GRF). Five cameras (System Vicon) were used to register the angular variations of the hip, knee and ankle in the sagittal and frontal planes. Five electromyographic electrodes (Noraxon System) were used to record the activities of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), biceps femoris (BF), tibialis anterior (TA) and gastrocnemius lateralis (GL) in the dominant segment (D segment) on control group and the segment with greater severity of injury in individuals with OA (OA segment). Inverse dynamics was used to calculate joint moments sagittal and frontal planes. Three daily living activities were investigated, the gait, the Sit-to stand and Stand-to-sit and Stepping down from a 20cm height step. In results, there was a smaller angular variation in hip and knee joints. No difference was observed in the mechanical loads applied to the locomotor system. In the three daily activities, people with knee OA showed hip adduction and knee abduction, in the three daily activities, which suggests an alignment valgus in the knee. Few differences were observed in joint moments in the three daily living activities. In sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit lower peak extensor moments were observed in the knee. Few differences were observed in adductor moments in gait. In sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit, no difference was observed in knee adductor moments. In stepping down, the CL segment showed greater adductor moment than OA segment and D. In general, differences in muscle activation indicate greater activation intensity in the control group. The VL muscle showed lower activation intensity in individuals with OA in all three activities. A higher co-activation was observed in gait and in stepping down, but not in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit. In gait the higher co-activation occurred subjects with knee OA in the three joints. In stepping down, higher co-activation occurred in the hip and knee. In the three activities, greater co-contraction was observed and especially in the knee. It can be concluded that changes in movement technique appears to be task dependent. Changes in movement technique in the sagittal plane were not enough to affect the control of the mechanical loads on gait and stepping down movements. Only in sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit some indication of worse efficiency to perform the task was observed. Knee alignment and knee adductor moments do not suggest greater magnitude of force in the medial compartment of the knee. Apparently, the temporal characteristics of muscle activity are more sensitive to the presence of knee OA than the intensity of activation

Name Relation between physical fitness and study results of primary school students Goal The goal of the thesis is to examine physical fitness of primary school students, compare it with their study results, and see if there is any relatioship between these two variables. Methods Physical fitness is tested with tests and norms of Unifittest (6-60) (Měkota, Kovář, 2002) and study results are generated with questionnaires. The answers are then matched with Unifittest's results of each student. Results are processed with the help of statistical methods. Results The results of Unifittest (6- 60) showed above-average or well above-average level of fitness with 89 % of individuals. Only 11 % of participants reached the average score. The best performance was detected with girls of the 9 ͭ ͪ grade and boys of the 7 ͭ ͪ grade. Spearman correlation coefficient showed a medium-strong relation between the Unifittest (6- 60) results and grades from Czech language, foreign language, and mathematics in 2 categories. 6 ͭ ͪ grade girls had the correlation rₛ= 0,51 and 8 ͭ ͪ grade girls rₛ= 0,56. Other categories showed very weak correlation relation. Keywords Unifittest, physical fitness, studying, youth, sit-ups, pull-ups, long jump, Cooper test

Purpose: Vibrotactile displays have been found to be beneficial in improving balance test scores that correlate with a decrease in fall rate in laboratory studies. Investigations of these devices have been limited to upright stance and have not been done in clinical settings. Furthermore, transitional movements facilitated by vibrotactile displays, such as forward lean and rise found in sit-to-stand, have not been investigated. A prospective study investigated the relationship between force platform vibrotactile intervention and balance test scores, sit-to-stand and falls in subjects with abnormal NeuroCom Sit-to-Stand test results and 2 or more self-reported falls within the last 6 months. Subjects: Subjects included 30 community-dwelling adults, aged 60 to 79 years, 10 as off-site controls, 10 as on-site controls, and 10 as on-site device intervention subjects. Method: The cohort is a prospective case/control study using Pearson r, paired sample t-test, multivariate analysis of variance (M)ANOVA), and Wilcoxon signed rank analysis to determine the relationship between standard of care physical therapy plus vibrotactile force platform device treatment and standard of care physical therapy only. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Dynamic Gait Index, functional independence measure-motor (FIM-Motor), NeuroCom Sit-to-Stand normative ratios, NeuroCom Comprehensive Report, and self-reported falls quantify change over time with repeated measure study design. Results: The study found a significant beneficial effect in the device intervention group which realized 39.5/56 to 51.2/56 mean score increase in Berg Balance Score, increase in mean Dynamic Gait Index from 11.7/24 to 19.8/24, mean increase in FIM-Motor from 16.4/21 to 19.5/21 and decrease in self-report falls from 4 to 2 by intervention Day 14. These finds encourage further investigation of vibrotactile force platform devices.

This study investigates the correlation between Millennial workers' sense of belonging and a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. Bearing in mind the gap in academic research on the introspective impact CSR has on a company’s employees, this study aims to explore how the Millennial workers at one of the biggest banking and insurance companies operating in Bulgaria understand and relate to companies’ philanthropic endeavours. To do so, this paper has used a theoretical framework, which combines four pillars that interact with and amplify one another. Two of them are empirical and present CSR and the Millennials as a generation. The other two are theoretical with social identity theory (SIT), which explains the sense of belonging innate to the Millennials, and corporate citizenship and shareholder value theory, which represent the polar opposites of what CSR should be about. As such, the thesis probes the hypotheses that, on one hand, if a company engages in genuine CSR initiatives, this will lead to an increased sense of belonging from the Millennial employees. However, on the other hand, if the company engages in greenwashing instead, this will lead to a diminished sense of belonging in the target group.  The findings infer that the Millennial workers at the banking and insurance company have strong opinions favouring their company utilizing genuine CSR practices. In addition, the majority of them have shared that if the company started utilizing CSR as means of greenwashing, this would lead to their overall disappointment and a diminished sense of association with the employer. However, the data has also shown that there might be different reasons for why people are joining CSR initiatives. These findings were produced with the help of mixed-method research combining quantitative survey plus qualitative semi-structured individual and focus group interviews.

THE INFLUENCE OF STRETCHING EXERCISES ON THE RANGE OF JOINT FLEXIBILITY IN STUDENTS AT JAN EVANGELISTA PURKYNĚ UNIVERSITY IN ÚSTÍ NAD LABEM The dissertation evaluates the influence of stretching exercises on the range of joint flexibility in students of the study programme Physical Education and Sport at Jan Evangelista Purkyně University in Ústí nad Labem. In total, 128 students aged 21 - 25 (78 women, 50 men) enrolled in the subject Basic Gymnastics took part in the experiment, conducted in the period from February to May of the academic year 2008/2009. Of these, 59 students were excluded by a physiotherapist - i.e. hypermobile men and hypermobile women as well as women with normal flexibility (excluded purposefully) subject to the results of the Thomayer test. In total, data from 39 men and 30 women were used. From April 2009, over a period of six weeks (before the end of the summer term tuition), an intervention flexibility programme including the Anderson static stretching method and the PNF stretching method by Sölveborn were applied for the research file. To evaluate the level of joint flexibility, the Sit and Reach Test and credit exercise to estimate joint flexibility were used. In a controlled interview, out-of-school activities were analysed, which contained stretching exercises with a...

This study presents general themes concerning identity preservation and identity formation among Afghan male refugees living in Sweden and who obtained Swedish citizenship. This study is based on an ethnographic survey of habits and practices of Afghan refugees living in Sweden who in a process of transition must adjust their previous values and expectations as they confront often hostile surroundings. While seeking to preserve their identity, their identity formations take place in the contextual realities and cultural influences existing in their host country Sweden. This study analyzes the narratives of Afghan refugees in Sweden to examine their sense of self. For the purpose of this research the definition of ‘identity’ is derived from the field of social psychology; specifically, the social identity theory. The social identity theory states that an individual’s self-concept is partially defined by the membership in a social group. The main finding of this research is that none of the men solely identify as Afghan. This is mainly because they left Afghanistan at a young age, encounter stereotypes and because Afghanistan is a fragmented and unsafe country. The hierarchy of salience theory and theories on multiple and hybrid identities are employed to demonstrate how they embrace different aspects of their identity at different times and in different situations. More specifically, the findings show that they embrace four strategies to do this: pragmatic, hybrid, religious and globalist. These four strategies show the hierarchy of salience.