Exploring bio-parametric solution-based design process for an ephemeral pavilion

This research proposes an experimental design approach to design an ephemeral pavilion located at the Serpentine Gallery in London. The Serpentine Pavilions Programme functions as an experimentation laboratory and, at the same time, public and event spaces, enabling architects to expose their projects and work methodologies. Thus, the methods of Biomimicry and Parametric Design were combined to develop the pavilion. While the first one was used to create an ephemeral pavilion based on the Sartorius muscle, the second was responsible for generating the parametric model from a fast and intuitive manipulation code capable of exploring shape variations. This work explores the solution-based method approached by Badarnah (2012) based on a predefined problem (the pavilion project) and only after that seek some natural inspiration. Firstly, it was investigated the anatomy of the Sartorius muscle. Subsequently, with the domain of the solution, the parametric insertion of the shape was computationally performed. The anatomical study of the sartorius muscle revealed functions such as flexion, abduction, lateral rotation of the thigh, and medial rotation of the knee. Thus, the architectural choices reflect both its narrow and elongated morphology of the muscle and flexibility and rotation aspects. The pavilion also considered the previous Serpentine Pavilions regarding attributes such as area, height, and materials, which with other parameters may be changed using the code implemented in Grasshopper.

Effect of side-sling plank exercise on trunk and hip muscle activation in subjects with gluteus medius weakness

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of side-sling plank (SSP) exercises on trunk and hip muscle activation in subjects with gluteus medius (Gmed) weakness is unclear. OBJECTIVE: To quantify muscle activation of the rectus abdominis (RA), external oblique (EO), erector spinae (ES), lumbar multifidus (LM), Gmed, gluteus maximus (Gmax), and tensor fasciae latae (TFL) during SSP with three different hip rotations compared to side-lying hip abduction (SHA) exercise in subjects with Gmed weakness. METHODS: Twenty-two subjects with Gmed weakness were recruited. SHA and three types of SSP exercises were performed: SSP with neutral hip (SSP-N), hip lateral rotation (SSP-L), and hip medial rotation (SSP-M). Surface electromyography was used to measure the activation of the trunk and hip muscles. RESULTS: The trunk and hip muscles activations were generally significantly higher level during three SSP than SHA. SSP-M showed significantly lower EO activation while significantly higher ES and LM activation than SSP-L. Gmed activation was significantly higher during SSP-M than during SSP-L. TFL activation was significantly lower during SSP-M than during SSP-N and SSP-L. CONCLUSIONS: SSP could be prescribed for patients who have reduced Gmed strength after injuries. Especially, SSP-M could be applied for patients who have Gmed weakness with dominant TFL.

Unknown variant of the accessory subscapularis muscle?

Acting in medial rotation of the arm, the subscapularis (SM) is the most powerful and largest muscle of the rotator cuff. It is morphologically variable, especially in the number of tendons, place of insertion, and number of bellies, and it is sometimes fused with another muscle. An accessory subscapularis muscle (ASM) is among the morphological variations of the SM, but it is a really rare variant. The present case describes a very rare ASM that is divided into proximal tendinous attachment, intermediate fleshy muscular belly and distal tendinous attachment. Its origin is located on the lateral border of the scapula, but some fibers are connected with the muscular part of the SM. Its distal attachment is fused with the capsule of shoulder joint, above the tendinous insertion of the SM. Such an arrangement allows for greater stabilization of the joint. Moreover, there is a possibility that it could be used during treatment of ruptured SM tendons.

Three-dimensional printing educational anatomical model of the patellar luxation in dogs

Background Few studies are available for assessing the current situation of 3D printing in veterinary medicine, due to the recent popularization of this technology. This study aimed to simulate a 3D model of the femorotibiopatellar joint of dogs based on the medial patellar luxation. The scanning, editing and printing of the femur, tibia, fibula and patella of a dog from the Laboratory of Anatomy of FMVZ USP were performed. Results Three femorotibiopatellar joint models were printed: one representing a healthy join without alterations; the second one with the medially deviated tibial tuberosity; and a last one representing the shifted tibial tuberosity and the trochlear sulcus flattened as consequence. The 3D edition consisted of medial rotation of the tibia and tibial tuberosity (22° against the healthy tibia), and the flatten of the medial femoral condyle (0.2 cm) and femoral trochlear groove. After printing, the corresponding measurements were taken with the alterations and the bone models were made with elastics to represent the anatomical components of the dog joint. Finally, the measurements corresponding to the distance from the patellar ligament to the lateral femoral condyle were taken in each specimen, in order to observe the change in position of the ligament according to the occurrence of the bone alterations. Conclusion We printed 3D articular anatomical components of the femurotibiopatellar joint that could be valuable educational tools for the study of medial patellar luxation in dogs.

Occurrence of asymmetries of lower limbs in basic futsal athletes

Futsal is a sport on the rise worldwide, attracting more and more new practitioners and as well as in field soccer, it has undergone changes in recent years, increasingly demanding athletes, becoming a high impact sport, promoting overload, in the short, medium and long term, predisposing to injury to different degrees of the locomotor apparatus. The aim of this study was to analyze lower limbs asymmetries in futsal-based athletes, as well as their relationship to the incidence of injuries. The study was developed with 47 athletes of the basic category, futsal, from a city in the interior of the state of São Paulo, where functional tests were performed with the help of the PHAST application. A pattern of similarity was identified between the muscle groups tested, except for the gluteus muscle, presenting a significant difference. According to the indicators found, the patterns of strength deficit of the middle glutes may trigger, or predispose to, some types of biomechanical lesions whether proximal, in the hip region, or distal, as dysfunctions in the knee joint. When an athlete presents with a weakness of this muscle, ipsilateral femur adduction, increased medial rotation and fall of the pelvis against lateral, promoting increased dynamic angle of the knee, increasing the overload in this joint. Thus, it is concluded that pre-season evaluation is important to identify possible asymmetries, implementing preventive work to correct them, in order to minimize the risks of injuries.

Effects of Thoracic Mobilization and Extension Exercise on Thoracic Alignment and Shoulder Function in Patients with Subacromial Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Introduction: Thoracic kyphosis commonly occurs in subacromial impingement syndrome. This pilot study investigated the effect of thoracic joint mobilization and extension exercise on improving thoracic alignment and shoulder function. Methods: In total, 30 patients with subacromial impingement syndrome were recruited and randomly assigned to three groups, the joint mobilization group (n = 10), exercise group (n = 10), and combination group (n = 10). After four weeks of treatment, the measured outcomes included thoracic kyphosis using a manual inclinometer; pectoralis major (PM) and upper trapezius (UT) muscle tone and stiffness using the MyotonPRO®; affected side passive range of motion (ROM) using the goniometer (flexion, abduction, medial rotation, and lateral rotation); and shoulder pain and disability index (SPADI). Results: All three groups had significant improvements in all variables (p < 0.05). Thoracic kyphosis; UT muscle tone; and flexion, medial rotation, and lateral rotation ROM and SPADI were all significantly improved in the combination group compared to the mobilization and exercise groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The combination therapy of thoracic mobilization and extension exercise can be regarded as a promising method to improve thoracic alignment and shoulder function in patients with subacromial impingement syndrome.