Juan Aceros

Human movement analysis is crucial in health and sports biomechanics for understanding physical performance, guiding rehabilitation, and preventing injuries. However, existing tools are often proprietary, expensive, and function as "black boxes", limiting user control and customization. This paper introduces vailá-Versatile Anarcho Integrated Liberation Ánalysis in Multimodal Toolbox-an open-source, Python-based platform designed to enhance human movement analysis by integrating data from multiple biomechanical systems. vailá supports data from diverse sources, including retroreflective motion capture systems, inertial measurement units (IMUs), markerless video capture technology, electromyography (EMG), force plates, and GPS or GNSS systems, enabling comprehensive analysis of movement patterns. Developed entirely in Python 3.11.9, which offers improved efficiency and long-term support, and featuring a straightforward installation process, vailá is accessible to users without extensive programming experience. In this paper, we also present several workflow examples that demonstrate how vailá allows the rapid processing of large batches of data, independent of the type of collection method. This flexibility is especially valuable in research scenarios where unexpected data collection challenges arise, ensuring no valuable data point is lost. We demonstrate the application of vailá in analyzing sit-to-stand movements in pediatric disability, showcasing its capability to provide deeper insights even with unexpected movement patterns. By fostering a collaborative and open environment, vailá encourages users to innovate, customize, and freely explore their analysis needs, potentially contributing to the advancement of rehabilitation strategies and performance optimization.

Background:Children with impaired mobility often experience a negative impact on their overall development leading to depression, social isolation, “learned helplessness,” and a perceived lower quality of life. The present study explores the effects of Power Mobility Devices (PMD), in the form of modified ride-on toy cars, on independent mobility and social function in children under five-years of age with complex multiple developmental impairmentsMaterials and methods:In this study, 12 children with neuromuscular diagnosis, musculoskeletal, or genetic and metabolic progressive diseases were enrolled. Significant cognitive, visual, or communication impairment was not exclusionary. The age range of the participants was 12 to 54 months (M=32months). Two types of activation and steering modifications, 1) proportional control joystick and 2) line follower technologies were provided. Participants were evaluated pre/post using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI).Results:A paired t-test was conducted on each of the three subscales (self-care, mobility, and social/cognitive ) of the PEDI to assess changes occurred in individuals between the pre and post power mobility experiences. Data analysis clearly indicates a statistically significant difference in the positive direction in Functional Skill scores in all three domains (self-care, mobility and social function). Data analysis also indicates a statistically significant difference in two domains (self-care and social function) between pre and post experience with the post experience scores also being higher on the Caregiver Assistant Scale scores.Conclusion:Results from this study demonstrated group mean score improvements between pre and post power mobility experiences in Self-Care, Mobility, and Social/Cognitive function. The results of this quantitative study support the findings of two previous studies analyzing qualitative data. These results are strong indicators that early power mobility interventions could provide positive improvements in the quality of life of children with severe multiple developmental disabilities including visual impairments.

Background and Purpose: One emerging power mobility device (PMD) option that has gained recognition as a means for a cost-effective introduction to power mobility for young children is the battery powered modified ride-on toy car. Many groups, nationally and internationally, have been modifying battery powered ride-on toy cars by adding seating support and a large center placed push button switch for motor activation. The purpose of this technical report is to introduce an enhanced steering and drive system based on proportional control through a joystick. Key Points: This report offers (1) a technical description of these modifications that allow directional steering and programmable starting and driving velocity, (2) an example of a modified ride on toy, including common seating modifications, and (3) a short summary of results from a group of 7 children under the age of six with complex, severe disabilities. Clinical Impact: Although proportional joystick modifications are more complex than the common single switch activation, they allow children greater control to achieve self-initiated, self-directed movement that allow play, peer interaction, and exploration in their natural environments, even in the most highly complex cases. All seven children were able to intentionally self-initiate activation of the modified ride-on car and experience the subsequent movement.

Toy-related injuries have increased significantly in the past decade, in particular those related to ride-on toys. This increase has been attributed to movement related events such as falls and inertial impacts. Furthermore, children with disabilities have been reported to be at a greater risk of being injured, and are therefore more susceptible to toy-related injuries. Although, efforts are being made to modify ride-on toys as a method for increasing quality of life in children with disabilities, there are very limited pediatric safety studies regarding children with disabilities and modified ride-on toys. This manuscript presents a systematic review of literature summarizing the current state of toy-related injuries including children with and without disabilities. Children exposed to inertial impacts in motor vehicle crashes have also been reviewed to present current pediatric safety testing methodologies and injury tolerance thresholds. Out of 2608 articles, 10 studies were included regarding current trends in toy-related injuries and safety testing methodologies. From this study, a gap in the literature was discovered concerning the susceptibility of children with disabilities to toy-related injuries, specifically in relation to ride-on toys and the repercussion surrounding such injuries. It is theorized that such lack of data is due to the difficulty and costs associated with experimental validation. Hence, it is recommended that computer simulations be used to provide preliminary data analysis.

Children with learning and developmental disabilities face challenges every day in a regular public-school setting. Research has shown that modification of the classroom setting enhances student’s learning experiences and social interactions within that environment. The following manuscript illustrates how medical and technical sciences can work together to create modules with enhanced sensory integration for children with disabilities. Sensory modules were engineered for the Communications and Social Skills (CSS) department of a local High School to increase the children’s sensory stimulation, learning, and functional social interactions. Results from this study provides strong conclusive evidence of the positive impact of this technology on the children’s intended outcomes.

The design and testing of a solution to provide energy for, and communications with, sensors encased in reinforced concrete structures, without additional wiring, was investigated. The single wire transmission line technique was adapted for use on reinforcing steel (rebar) embedded in the concrete. Experiments were conducted that first validated the approach on rebar in an ambient air medium. After the validation tests were completed, testing in concrete was conducted. To interface with the rebar special directional couplers were designed that focus the energy along the rebar in one direction. To ensure the results would be transferrable to industry, the couplers were kept physically small by using a carrier frequency of 2.4 GHz. The couplers were constructed using advanced manufacturing techniques, including laser-cut copper components and computer-aided manufacturing for the plastic dielectric members. The baseline testing in air verified that the rebar functioned as a single wire transmission line and that the coupler design worked. However, when the experimentation moved to encasement of the rebar and couplers in concrete, the performance degraded significantly. The degradation in concrete was large enough to suggest that the use of 2.4 GHz may not support either communications or energy harvesting in reinforced concrete structures. A second design approach was pursued that investigated using a much lower carrier frequency of 8 kHz. Though the degradation was not as severe as with 2.4 GHz, it was still substantial enough to indicate that the rebar single wire transmission line approach faces challenges that may warrant consideration of other techniques for embedded monitoring of reinforced concrete structures. Future areas of research were identified, including transferring the research to applications for monitoring existing steel structures in air, and also consideration of the use of this research for reinforced concrete monitoring when there are concentric steel reinforcing structures present.

Independent play is a critical component in the development of children. It teaches motor, social, and critical thinking skills. However, some disabilities impair a child's capacity to engage in play by limiting their ability to move. The work presented in this manuscript describes a power mobility device based on a ride-on toy (Wild Thing from Fisher Price) for a 27 month-old child with mobility impairments. Physical therapy standardized functional assessments before and after introducing the child to the toy were carried out with noticeable impact on the child's development. Improvements to his overall quality of life is also reported.

The School of Engineering and the Physical Therapy program at the University of North Florida developed a novel, community-based course where undergraduate engineering students are partnered with physical therapy students. In this course students participate in hands-on, team-based design projects focused on low-tech and high-tech rehabilitation technology for children with disabilities. The impact of this interprofessional education experience on the students has been evaluated using the Public Service Motivation Scale for three years and its impact on the students is presented.

Blood glucose monitoring is considered the gold standard for diabetes diagnostics and self-monitoring. However, the underlying process is invasive and highly uncomfortable for patients. Furthermore, the process must be completed several times a day to successfully manage the disease, which greatly contributes to the massive need for non-invasive monitoring options. Human serums, such as saliva, sweat, breath, urine and tears, contain traces of glucose and are easily accessible. Therefore, they allow minimal to non-invasive glucose monitoring, making them attractive alternatives to blood measurements. Numerous developments regarding noninvasive glucose detection techniques have taken place over the years, but recently, they have gained recognition as viable alternatives, due to the advent of nanotechnology-based sensors. Such sensors are optimal for testing the amount of glucose in serums other than blood thanks to their enhanced sensitivity and selectivity ranges, in addition to their size and compatibility with electronic circuitry. These nanotechnology approaches are rapidly evolving, and new techniques are constantly emerging. Hence, this manuscript aims to review current and future nanomaterial-based technologies utilizing saliva, sweat, breath and tears as a diagnostic medium for diabetes monitoring.