This book addresses instruments, methodologies and diagnostic methods used to evaluate and diagnose human movement, locomotion and physical status in general. Starting from historical perspective, the idea of understanding human locomotion by applying technical measurement devices and incorporating measurement data into physical representation of gross body movement is presented and explained, an approach known as inverse dynamics. With this approach as a kind of umbrella concept, components of measurement systems including relevant signal and data processing methods are described. Modern instruments to capture body movement by measuring its kinematics, kinetics and surface electromyography (sEMG) are thus described; all systems being used dominantly-if not exclusively-in a movement analysis laboratory setting. Focusing mainly on human posture and gait, but including also examples of movement patterns from selected kinesiological and sports activities, the book attempts to present essentials of biomechanics and biomedical engineering approach to this subject matter. It illustrates how data collected and elaborated by modern engineering technology can complement traditional expert knowledge of a kinesiologist or a medical doctor. The book is applicable in the fields of sports, physical activities, as well as in medical diagnostics and rehabilitation. The examples of this book's practical application might be in evaluation of efficiency of human gait, in evaluation of skeletal muscle fatigue in physical exercise, in biomechanical diagnostics of traumatological conditions requiring orthopaedic treatment and the like. This book can also be used in planning and executing research endeavours, particularly in a clinical context as a reference for various diagnostics procedures. It presents the lecture notes of a course carrying the same name within Medical Studies in English at the University of Zagreb for more than a decade.

The heart is our most important - and perhaps most mysterious - organ.

Every day it pumps 9000 litres of blood and beats around 100,000 times. But the heart is more than just a pump. In all major human cultures, it is seen as the source of love, sympathy, joy, courage, strength and wisdom. Why is this so?

Having witnessed the extraordinary complexity and unpredictability of human hearts in the operating theatre - each one individual in its make-up, like a fingerprint - heart surgeon Reinhard Friedl went on a search for answers. He examined closely the latest findings in neurocardiology and psychocardiology, and in The Beat of Life he shares his discoveries, using riveting personal stories to illustrate the complex relationship between the heart, the brain and the psyche.

FRCS General Surgery Section 1: 500 SBAs and EMIs, Second Edition has been thoroughly revised to ensure the content remains completely up to date and accurate. With 50 new questions, FRCS General Surgery Section 1: 500 SBAs and EMIs offers the most relevant and comprehensive set of practice questions for trainees preparing for the exam. Chapters are mapped to the syllabus to deliver structured revision in all the key topics tested in the exam. Featuring a wealth of practice questions and fully descriptive answers, this book provides the essential revision tool to maximise chances of success. 500 SBA and EMI scenario based questions reflecting the formats encountered in the exam Answers feature concise, case-based descriptions to consolidate knowledge Extensive evidence-based referencing to relate theory to clinical practice Visually-enhanced answers to improve understanding of key concepts

MRCS Part A: 550 SBAs and EMQs, Second Edition continues the tradition of the best-selling first edition by offering a wealth of practice questions covering applied basic sciences and principles of surgery for candidates preparing for the MRCS Part A written exam. With 40% new content, including the addition of trauma and orthopaedic questions to provide complete coverage of surgical specialties, this book remains an essential revision tool designed to maximise chances of exam success. Key points 550 SBAs and theme-based EMQs test knowledge of applied basic sciences and general surgical principles, respectively, reflecting the formats encountered in the exam Chapters organised by anatomy, physiology, pathology, principles of surgery and general surgery, to help you focus on areas of weakness Provides in-depth answers, with illustrations, to help consolidate knowledge and understand key concepts Gives practical advice on how to approach revision and useful tips to improve exam technique

The study of visual development has proceeded at a rapid pace in recent years, and there have been theoretical and methodological innovations across a wide range of disciplines. This book brings together some of the most recent innovations from a neurobiological perspective. Chapters cover the pre- to postnatal development of vision, new insights into the concept of critical periods, object and face recognition, as well as dynamic perception and visual recognition memory in infants. The volume finishes with a detailed overview of the development of visual functions from the perspective of neural network modeling.

This book will appeal to psychologists, visual scientists and infancy researchers with an interest in development of the visaul system from a multidisciplinary perspective. An integrative introduction is followed by chapters that challenge thinking about development in terms of a nativist-empiricist dichotomy. Emphasis is on cross-disciplinary research links and between chapters readers will find cross-references.