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Collaborative Robots—CoBots—are emerging as a promising technological aid for workers. To date, most CoBots merely share their workspace or collaborate without contact, with their human partners. We claim that robots would be much more beneficial if they physically collaborated with the worker, on high payload tasks. To move high payloads, while remaining safe, the robot should use two or more lightweight arms. In this work, we address the following question: to what extent can robots help workers in physical human-robot collaboration tasks? To find an answer, we have gathered an interdisciplinary group, spanning from an industrial end user to cognitive ergonomists, and including biomechanicians and roboticists. We drew inspiration from an industrial process realized repetitively by workers of the SME HANKAMP (Netherlands). Eleven participants replicated the process, without and with the help of a robot. During the task, we monitored the participants’ biomechanical activity. After the task, the participants completed a survey with usability and acceptability measures; seven workers of the SME completed the same survey. The results of our research are the following. First, by applying–for the first time in collaborative robotics–Potvin’s method, we show that the robot substantially reduces the participants’ muscular effort. Second: we design and present an unprecedented method for measuring the robot reliability and reproducibility in collaborative scenarios. Third: by correlating the worker’s effort with the power measured by the robot, we show that the two agents act in energetic synergy. Fourth: the participant’s increasing level of experience with robots shifts his/her focus from the robot’s overall functionality towards finer expectations. Last but not least: workers and participants are willing to work with the robot and think it is useful.

Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children. The causative pathogens show geographic and seasonal variations. We retrospectively evaluated the frequency and seasonality of respiratory pathogens in children and adolescents (age: 0–19 years) with ARIs treated between January 1, 2021, and March 31, 2022, at a single center in Mexico. Out of 2400 patients, 1,603 were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 797 were diagnosed with other common respiratory pathogens (CRPs). Of the 797 patients, 632 were infected with one CRP and 165 with > 2 CRPs. Deaths occurred only in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. Rhinovirus/Enterovirus, respiratory syncytial virus B, and parainfluenza virus 3 were the most prevalent in cases with single and multiple infections. CRP showed a high frequency between autumn and winter of 2021, with higher incidence of hospitalization compared to COVID-19. The main comorbidities were immunosuppression, cardiovascular disease (CD), and asthma. The frequency of CRPs showed a downward trend throughout the first half of 2021. CRPs increased in single- and co-infection cases between the fourth and fifth waves of COVID-19, probably due to decreased nonpharmaceutical interventions and changes in diagnostic tests. Age, cyanosis (symptom), and immunosuppression (comorbidity) were found to differentiate between SARS-CoV-2 infection and CRP infection.

Many everyday tasks, like walking down a street, require us to dual task to also avoid collisions of our swinging arms with other pedestrians. The collision avoidance is possible with ease because humans attend to all our (embodied) limbs. But how does the level of embodiment affect attention distribution, and consequently task performance in dual tasks? Here we examined this question with a dual task that required participants to perform a cued button-press (main task) with their right hand, while reacting to possible collisions by a moving object with a left ‘robot’ hand (secondary task). We observed that participants consistently improve main task performance when they perceived the robot hand to be embodied, compared to when they don’t. The secondary task performance could be maintained in both cases. Our results suggest that embodiment of a limb modifies attention allotment for the benefit of dual motor task performance using limbs. Using a dual task, in which one task was performed by the right hand and the other by the left hand, the study shows that limb embodiment affects attention distribution between limbs, and consequently improves task performance in dual tasks.

Individuals who sustained a spinal cord injury often lose important motor skills, and cannot perform basic daily living activities. Several assistive technologies, including robotic assistance and functional electrical stimulation, have been developed to restore lost functions. However, designing reliable interfaces to control assistive devices for individuals with C4–C8 complete tetraplegia remains challenging. Although with limited grasping ability, they can often control upper arm movements via residual muscle contraction. In this article, we explore the feasibility of drawing upon these residual functions to pilot two devices, a robotic hand and an electrical stimulator. We studied two modalities, supra-lesional electromyography (EMG), and upper arm inertial sensors (IMU). We interpreted the muscle activity or arm movements of subjects with tetraplegia attempting to control the opening/closing of a robotic hand, and the extension/flexion of their own contralateral hand muscles activated by electrical stimulation. Two groups were recruited: eight subjects issued EMG-based commands; nine other subjects issued IMU-based commands. For each participant, we selected at least two muscles or gestures detectable by our algorithms. Despite little training, all participants could control the robot’s gestures or electrical stimulation of their own arm via muscle contraction or limb motion.

In the Industry 4.0 scenario, human–robot collaboration (HRC) plays a key role in factories to reduce costs, increase production, and help aged and/or sick workers maintain their job. The approaches of the ISO 11228 series commonly used for biomechanical risk assessments cannot be applied in Industry 4.0, as they do not involve interactions between workers and HRC technologies. The use of wearable sensor networks and software for biomechanical risk assessments could help us develop a more reliable idea about the effectiveness of collaborative robots (coBots) in reducing the biomechanical load for workers. The aim of the present study was to investigate some biomechanical parameters with the 3D Static Strength Prediction Program (3DSSPP) software v.7.1.3, on workers executing a practical manual material-handling task, by comparing a dual-arm coBot-assisted scenario with a no-coBot scenario. In this study, we calculated the mean and the standard deviation (SD) values from eleven participants for some 3DSSPP parameters. We considered the following parameters: the percentage of maximum voluntary contraction (%MVC), the maximum allowed static exertion time (MaxST), the low-back spine compression forces at the L4/L5 level (L4Ort), and the strength percent capable value (SPC). The advantages of introducing the coBot, according to our statistics, concerned trunk flexion (SPC from 85.8% without coBot to 95.2%; %MVC from 63.5% without coBot to 43.4%; MaxST from 33.9 s without coBot to 86.2 s), left shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 46.1% without coBot to 32.6%; MaxST from 32.7 s without coBot to 65 s), and right shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 43.9% without coBot to 30.0%; MaxST from 37.2 s without coBot to 70.7 s) in Phase 1, and right shoulder humeral rotation (%MVC from 68.4% without coBot to 7.4%; MaxST from 873.0 s without coBot to 125.2 s), right shoulder abdo-adduction (%MVC from 31.0% without coBot to 18.3%; MaxST from 60.3 s without coBot to 183.6 s), and right wrist flexion/extension rotation (%MVC from 50.2% without coBot to 3.0%; MaxST from 58.8 s without coBot to 1200.0 s) in Phase 2. Moreover, Phase 3, which consisted of another manual handling task, would be removed by using a coBot. In summary, using a coBot in this industrial scenario would reduce the biomechanical risk for workers, particularly for the trunk, both shoulders, and the right wrist. Finally, the 3DSSPP software could be an easy, fast, and costless tool for biomechanical risk assessments in an Industry 4.0 scenario where ISO 11228 series cannot be applied; it could be used by occupational medicine physicians and health and safety technicians, and could also help employers to justify a long-term investment.

The practice of sports can lead to the development of values such as respect, self-control, effort, autonomy and leadership. However, sport can only foster educational habits and values if it is properly timed and specifically focused towards that end. The aim of this study was to carry out a systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of interventions on the development and promotion of respect in the practice of sport among young people. A systematic search was conducted, according to the guidelines of the PRISMA declaration, in the Web of Science (WOS), PubMed (Medline), Scopus, Google Scholar and SportDiscus databases. A total of 6 articles were considered to meet the inclusion criteria for the promotion of respect. Criteria for inclusion included: the full text needed to be available; it should be written in one of the selected languages: English, Spanish and Portuguese; it should be an intervention, an experimental or quasi-experimental study or a randomized controlled trial. Each manuscript was independently reviewed by three authors of this work. The results of the meta-analyses showed that the Siedentop sports education model, and Hellison's personal and social responsibility model (TPRS), had significant improvements regarding respect for opponents (total effect size = 0.39, small effect, with 95% Confidence Interval of 0.07 to 0.72). In addition, these models, along with another programme called Fair Play, also achieved significant increases as regards respect for the social conventions of sport (total effect size = 0.67, moderate effect, with 95% IC from 0.25 to 1.10). In conclusion, the use of interventions related to the above-mentioned models is recommended when it is intended to encourage respect for opponents and social conventions. These considerations could be useful to both teachers and coaches in order to further cultivate these important attitudes.

Minimization in immunosuppression could contribute to the appearance the donor-specific HLA antibodies (DSA) and graft failure. The objective was to compare the incidence of DSA in renal transplantation (RT) in recipients with immunosuppression with and without steroids. A prospective cohort from March 1st, 2013 to March 1st, 2014 and follow-up (1 year), ended in March 2015, was performed in living donor renal transplant (LDRT) recipients with immunosuppression and early steroid withdrawal (ESW) and compared with a control cohort (CC) of patients with steroid-sustained immunosuppression. All patients were negative cross-matched and for DSA pre-transplant. The regression model was used to associate the development of DSA antibodies and acute rejection (AR) in subjects with immunosuppressive regimens with and without steroids. Seventy-seven patients were included (30 ESW and 47 CC). The positivity of DSA class I (13% vs 2%; P < 0.05) and class II (17% vs 4%, P = 0.06) antibodies were higher in ESW versus CC. The ESW tended to predict DSA class II (RR 5.7; CI (0.93–34.5, P = 0.06). T-cell mediated rejection presented in 80% of patients with DSA class I (P = 0.07), and 86% with DSA II (P = 0.03), and was associated with DSA class II, (RR 7.23; CI (1.2–44), P = 0.03). ESW could favor the positivity of DSA. A most strictly monitoring the DSA is necessary for the early stages of the transplant to clarify the relationship between T-cell mediated rejection and DSA.

 La figura del entrenador es clave en el entrenamiento deportivo con jóvenes. Este estudio tuvo como objetivos establecer el perfil del entrenador de fútbol en las etapas de formación de los jóvenes jugadores de la región de Beja (Portugal), identificar la concepción sobre la enseñanza del fútbol que tienen, y conocer la forma de planificar y programar de los mismos. Con este fin se encuestaron a 124 entrenadores de fútbol base de la mencionada región portuguesa. Los datos mostraron que el perfil del entrenador de fútbol base de Beja se correspondió al siguiente: hombre de entre 31 y 40 años, con el duodécimo año de escolaridad completo, trabajando por cuenta ajena, sin curso de entrenador o con apenas el Grado I o nivel básico de la titulación de entrenador de fútbol. También destacó el hecho de que la mayoría de los entrenadores consideraran el fútbol un medio para educar a los jugadores, siendo los entrenadores más jóvenes los que más creían en el fútbol como medio transmisor de valores. Cabe destacar que los entrenadores manifestaron tener bastante claro los contenidos a trabajar en estas edades y que solían utilizar tanto métodos de enseñanza directivos como basados en el descubrimiento. Los entrenadores afirmaron que solían dar más prioridad a los aspectos técnico-tácticos con respecto al trabajo físico. Por último, gran parte de los entrenadores mostraron intención de entrenar en un futuro en categorías superiores. Abstract: The figure of the coach is key in sports training with young people. The aims of this study were to establish the profile of the football coach in the training stages of young players in the region of Beja (Portugal), to identify their conception of football teaching, and to know how to plan and programme them. To this end, 124 grassroots football coaches in the aforementioned Portuguese region were surveyed. The data showed that the profile of the base football coach in Beja corresponded to the following: a man between 31 and 40 years old, with the twelfth year of schooling complete, working as an employee, without a course of coaching or with only Grade I or basic level of the qualification of football coach. It was also highlighted the fact that most coaches considered football as a means of educating players, with younger coaches believing most in football as a means of transmitting values. It should be noted that the coaches said they were quite clear about the content to be worked on in these ages and that they used both managerial and discovery-based teaching methods. Coaches said they tended to give more priority to technical and tactical aspects over physical work. Finally, a large number of coaches showed their intention to train at higher levels in the future.

The figure of the coach is key in sports training with young people. The aims of this study were to establish the profile of the football coach in the training stages of young players in the region of Beja (Portugal), to identify their conception of football teaching, and to know how to plan and programme them. To this end, 124 grassroots football coaches in the aforementioned Portuguese region were surveyed. The data showed that the profile of the base football coach in Beja corresponded to the following: a man between 31 and 40 years old, with the twelfth year of schooling complete, working as an employee, without a course of coaching or with only Grade I or basic level of the qualification of football coach. It was also highlighted the fact that most coaches considered football as a means of educating players, with younger coaches believing most in football as a means of transmitting values. It should be noted that the coaches said they were quite clear about the content to be worked on in these ages and that they used both managerial and discovery-based teaching methods. Coaches said they tended to give more priority to technical and tactical aspects over physical work. Finally, a large number of coaches showed their intention to train at higher levels in the future.

This paper introduces BAZAR, a collaborative robot that integrates the most advanced sensing and actuating devices in a unique system designed for the Industry 4.0. We present BAZAR’s three main features, which are all paramount in the factory of the future. These features are: mobility for navigating in dynamic environments, interaction for operating side-by-side with human workers, and dual-arm manipulation for transporting and assembling bulky objects.