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Assessment of skeletal muscle mass (SMM) is essential to monitor physical performance and health status. The most widely used anthropometric equations have repeatedly demonstrated to overestimate or underestimate SMM in different populations. Herein, we developed and cross-validated a new anthropometric regression equation for estimating SMM, using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as the reference method. A group of 206 healthy Caucasian participants aged 18–65 years were included in the final analysis. Participants underwent a DXA scan, and body mass, stature, four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular, and supracrestal) and four breadths (femoral, humeral, ankle, and wrist) were assessed by an accredited anthropometrist. Accuracy was assessed by mean differences, coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate (SEE), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman plots. The proposed equation explained 91.3% of the variance in the DXA-derived SMM percentage, with a low random error (SEE = 1.95%), and a very strong agreement (CCC = 0.94). In addition, it demonstrated no fixed or proportional bias and a relatively low individual variability (3.84%). The new anthropometric equation can accurately predict SMM percentage in a Caucasian population with a wide age range (18–65 years).

(1) To develop a new regression equation for estimating fat mass percentage (%FM) from anthropometric measurements in a heterogeneous Caucasian population and (2) to compare it with the Durnin and Womersley equation, which is one of the most used anthropometric equations for FM assessment. Body mass, stature and four skinfolds (biceps, triceps, subscapular and supracrestal) were assessed by an accredited anthropometrist, according to the International Society for Advancement in Kinanthropometry. Participants completed a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) whole-body scan to determine their %FM. A new anthropometric equation to estimate %FM was developed using multiple forward regression analyses with DXA as the reference method. Tests for the accuracy of the different equations included mean differences, coefficient of determination, SE of the estimate (SEE), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and Bland-Altman plots. Spain. Two hundred and eighteen healthy Caucasian participants aged 18-65 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Our proposed equation explained 89·9 % of the variance in the DXA-derived %FM, with a low random error (SEE = 3·00 %), a very strong agreement (CCC = 0·93), no fixed or proportional bias and a relatively low individual variability (5·84 %). However, the Durnin and Womersley equations obtained a fixed bias of -3·65 % when compared with DXA and a greater individual variability (6·74 %). The proposed equation can accurately estimate %FM in a heterogeneous Caucasian population with a wide age range (18-65 years). Additionally, the Durnin and Womersley equation was inadequate when applied to our participants.

Land subsidence resulting from groundwater extractions is a global phenomenon adversely affecting many regions worldwide. Understanding the governing processes and mitigating associated hazards require knowing the spatial distribution of the implicated factors (piezometric levels, lithology, ground deformation), usually only known at discrete locations. Here, we propose a methodology based on the Kriging with External Drift (KED) approach to interpolate sparse point measurements of variables influencing land subsidence using high density InSAR measurements. In our study, located in the Alto Guadalentín basin, SE Spain, these variables are GPS vertical velocities and the thickness of compressible soils. First, we estimate InSAR and GPS rates of subsidence covering the periods 2003–2010 and 2004–2013, respectively. Then, we apply the KED method to the discrete variables. The resulting continuous GPS velocity map shows maximum subsidence rates of 13 cm/year in the center of the basin, in agreement with previous studies. The compressible deposits thickness map is significantly improved. We also test the coherence of Sentinel-1 data in the study region and evaluate the applicability of this methodology with the new satellite, which will improve the monitoring of aquifer-related subsidence and the mapping of variables governing this phenomenon.

Phenolic compounds have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and may prevent inflammation and oxidative stress as well as help the athletes to recover from exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). Tart cherry (TC) and pomegranate (PG) are two fruits with high content of polyphenols. Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have recently attracted substantial interest for their potential to reduce strength loss and promote recovery from EIMD. The aims of this review are (1) to summarise the effects of tart cherry and pomegranate supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation and recovery, and (2) to outline the differences found in supplementation with tart cherries or pomegranates. SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis and 25 studies were included. The existing evidence suggests that both types of supplementation are good strategies to accelerate recovery of functional performance variables, perceptual variables and inflammation but PG supplementation shows better recovery of oxidative stress. However, positive effects are more likely: 1) when supplementation starts some days before muscle damage is induced and finishes some days after, for a total period of at least 8/10 days, 2) with pronounced muscle damage of the muscles involved, and 3) when total phenolic content is at least 1000 mg/day. This review may help to optimise TC or PG supplementation practice to improve post-exercise recovery.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to develop new regression equations for estimating fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) in a heterogeneous Caucasian population, using the phase angle (PhA) as a bioelectrical parameter and DXA as the reference method. We also aimed to cross-validate the new equations, and to compare them with the manufacturers’ equations. The 212 healthy Caucasian participants aged 20–65 years were randomly distributed into two groups: development group (n = 141) and validation group (n = 71). Bioelectrical parameters were obtained with a 50 kHz foot-to-hand phase-sensitive body composition analyzer. The new FM percentage (FM%) and SMM percentage (SMM%) equations were developed by performing multiple forward regression analyses. Agreement between DXA and the different equations was assessed by mean differences, coefficient of determination, standard error of the estimate (SEE), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and Bland–Altman plots. The proposed equations explained 89.2% of the variance in the DXA-derived FM% and 91.8% in the DXA-derived SMM%, with low random errors (SEE = 3.04% and 1.92%, respectively), and a very strong agreement (CCC = 0.93 and 0.94, respectively). In addition, they demonstrated no fixed bias and a relatively low individual variability. However, the manufacturer's equations described a lower percentage of the variance, with higher random errors, obtained fixed bias of −5.77% for FM% and 4.91% for SMM%, as well as higher individual variability. The new regression equations, which include the PhA as a bioelectrical parameter, can accurately predict DXA-derived FM% and SMM% in a heterogeneous Caucasian population, and are better options than the manufacturer's equations. •Bioimpedance analysis is an inexpensive method for assessing body composition.•The phase angle (PhA) is an indicator of cell function and health-related fitness.•Accurate equations for fat mass (FM) and skeletal muscle mass (SMM) are needed.•Our two new equations include and PhA accurately estimate FM and SMM in Caucasians.

Introducción y objetivos: el análisis de bioimpedancia (BIA) es un método no invasivo para la determinación de composición corporal. Las ecuaciones que calculan los componentes corporales acarrean errores, por lo que los parámetros bioeléctricos obtenidos con BIA, resistencia, reactancia y ángulo de fase son usados cada vez más frecuentemente como predictores de estados de salud o de rendimiento. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron: 1) Comparar los valores bioeléctricos obtenidos por dos dispositivos BIA, uno mano-pie (BIA-101) y otro mano-mano (BIA-TELELAB), en una población adulta española sana, de raza blanca y de amplio rango de edad; 2) Proporcionar valores de referencia de dichos parámetros para ambos dispositivos, que puedan servir para futuros estudios en poblaciones de raza blanca con patologías. Metodología: 206 sujetos de entre 20 y 70 años participaron en esta investigación.  Las mediciones se llevaron a cabo con una corriente de 250 µA y una frecuencia de 50 kHz. Resultados: los resultados obtenidos para los tres parámetros bioeléctricos son distintos entre ambos dispositivos debido, entre otras cosas, al distinto camino recorrido por la corriente. No obstante, existe una correlación significativa fuerte o muy fuerte entre los valores obtenidos, lo que indica que es posible desarrollar con ellos ecuaciones distintas, pero válidas, para la obtención de composición corporal. Conclusiones: los valores bioeléctricos obtenidos por ambos dispositivos BIA para una población adulta sana, de raza blanca y amplio rango de edad, con un número relativamente grande de sujetos en cada franja de edad, pueden servir como referencia para estudios futuros.

Reliable information of the three-dimensional distribution of rock mass properties improves the design of secure and cost-effective civil structures. In this paper, a recurrent neural network is presented as an alternative to predict the spatial variation of some index properties of rock in sparsely instrumented media. The neural technique, from statistical learning models, is used to approximate functions that can depend on a large number of inputs that are generally unknown. From a reasonably simple neuronal model of two inhomogeneous rock volumes, the limited measured information is extrapolated and the properties in the entire mass can be estimated. Comparisons betweenin situexplorationsversusthe 3D-neuronal definition confirm the potential of the proposed method for characterizing the properties of masses with inhomogeneous properties. Such a representation is useful for design of economic realistic numerical modelling of rock volumes, maximizing information while minimizing cost.

Me propongo en este trabajo llevar a cabo una autorreflexión, un autoanálisis acerca de mi dilatada experiencia docente, no desde un punto de vista formal en cuanto a la especificidad del programa y los temas de mis asignaturas, sino acerca de la singularidad de la actividad docente, en la que el compromiso con los estudiantes, con la materia impartida, y con la Institución en la que tengo el privilegio de trabajar, constituyen el motivo fundamental que rige y ordena mi oficio como Profesor. Mi exposición recorrerá diez ítems (1. La clase como creación. 2. Espacio, tiempo y materia. 3. Siempre hay tiempo. Sobre la dificultad de ajustar los contenidos de una asignatura a las 52 horas. 4. La peor clase es la que no se imparte. La peor clase es aquella a la que no se asiste. 5. Las virtudes del Profesor. 6. La letra con sangre entra, con la sangre del profesor. 7. Extensión e intensidad de los contenidos en un curso académico. 8. La recompensa del trabajo bien hecho. 9. Nuestra dignidad consiste en cumplir con los acuerdos. 10. Tutorías, exámenes, evaluación.), cada uno de los cuales trata de mostrar de forma especular un componente ideal del buen Profesor que todos aspiramos ser. En este sentido, este ensayo no consiste en una descripción positivista de la realidad docente, sino que pretende reconstruir una demarcación crítica entre la idealidad a la que todos pretendemos llegar y la realidad empírica que continuamente nos presiona en sentido inverso. La coacción sin coacciones de la ejemplaridad es lo que nos empuja a mantener viva la fe en la apropiación de la naturaleza y el espíritu de ese Profesor ideal.