bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SEQUENCING JUDGEMENT SKILLS AND DECISIONS-MADE ON RUGBY ATHLETES: AN ANALYSIS ON INJURY PREVENTION
Authors: Broughton Henare R
Published: August 2017

Objective

To analyse rugby athletes' judgement knowledge and decisions-made where there is the potential to minimise error and prevent injury.

Material and methods

A prospective cohort of 300 rugby athletes participated in the Division 2A Senior Rugby All-Ireland Championships in the period of 2010–2011. The athletes came from the Dublin University Football Club and opposing Clubs and the ten match fixtures videoed, injury data were collated with informed consent obtained.

Results

Time durations for the scrum had a mean throw in – clearance of 3.128 s (SD 2.109), the tackle, mean clearance time 4.135 s (SD 3.0320) and the lineout, mean throw in – clearance 4.072 s (SD 3.2584). On space dimensions the scrum, short-arm binding was preferred, Fisher's exact test: p-value=0.094 and variations in alignment, p-value=0.056. Of the injury data a Chi-squared test, confirmed significant differences p<0.05 with the hooker compared to the locks in the scrum 33.156 for cervical and lumbar spinal injuries respectively. In open play, loose forwards sustained cervical injuries, p<0.05 due to the tackle compared to midfield backs 28.917 with lower limb injuries attributed to running and being tackled.

Conclusions

Judgement analysis on the scrum, tackle, and lineout showed consistent delays in recovery and completion from ball clearances respectively. Variations in alignments occurred with inconsistencies at the post-set in the scrum. In contrast applying Judgement knowledge with reference to the Laws of the Game there is the potential to minimise error and prevent injury.
RELIABILITY, PRECISION OF MEASUREMENT AND MINIMAL DETECTABLE DIFFERENCE OF RIGHT AND LEFT KNEE EXTENSION FORCE SENSE MEASUREMENT IN UNINJURED ADULT MALE FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Authors: Clark Nicholas , Rolleston Mark
Published: August 2017

Background

Proprioception (joint position sense (JPS), kinaesthesia, force sense (FS)) is of interest in knee injury prevention. Recent work reports existing knee proprioception tests are inadequate relative to gaining better understanding of knee functional joint stability and injury aetiology.

Objective

To determine critical psychometric properties of a new knee extension FS test in uninjured, adult, male football players. Hypotheses: 1. the test would demonstrate good reliability; 2. there would be no between-limb significant differences.

Design

Between-day (D1/D2) repeated measures.

Setting

University sensorimotor control laboratory.

Participants

Twelve university team players (age (mean±SD) 21.1±1.5 years; height 177.5±9.3 cm; mass 77.1±15.4 kg) participated.

Interventions

Players were seated on an isokinetic dynamometer set to isometric mode, the knee flexed 45°. A knee extension target trial-reproduction trial sequence was repeated five times, FS measured in Newtons (N), between-trial differences designated absolute error (AE), average AE used for analyses. Limb order was randomized for D1 and repeated D2.

Main Outcome Measures

Systematic error (paired t-test; Cohen's d (d)); relative reliability (ICC 2,k); absolute reliability (standard error of measurement (SEM)); measurement change needed to detect true physiological differences (minimal detectable difference (MDD)); between-limb differences (D2 values; paired t-test).

Results

There were no significant differences between D1 and D2 values for either limb (P>0.90; d<0.03). The ICC (2,k), SEM and MDD were: right=0.81, 3.3N, 9.1N; left=0.78, 3.8N and 10.4N. There were no significant between-limb differences (P=0.75).

Conclusions

There was no systematic error. The FS test demonstrated good reliability. The measurement error and change needed to detect true physiological change were established. There were no between-limb differences. The knee extension FS test offers a new knee proprioception test that can be used in studies of knee functional joint stability and injury aetiology in adult male football players.
PREVENTATIVE RISK FACTORS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS IN GREAT BRITAIN'S OLYMPIANS
Authors: Cooper Dale , Batt Mark , Scammell Brigitte , Palmer-Green Debbie
Published: August 2017

Background

Relatively little is known about the risk factors associated with osteoarthritis (OA) in Olympic athletes. As the first step towards prevention, knowledge of preventative/modifiable risk factors are needed.

Objective

To examine injury patterns, prevalence, and risk factors for OA in Great Britain's Olympians, aged 40 years and older.

Design

Cross-sectional study design, with an internal nested-case control.

Setting

Athletes who had represented Great Britain at the Summer and/or Winter Olympic Games from 1932 to 2012.

Participants

Great Britain's Olympians were invited to complete and return a web-based or paper questionnaire. The response rate was 32%, with 605 returns achieved (40–97 years), between the 22nd May 2014 and the 31st January 2015.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Potential risk factors for OA included age, body mass index, gender, previous injury, lower limb mal-alignment, hypermobility (self-reported Beighton>4/9), comorbidities, index ring finger ratio, Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes, and having competed in either impact or weight-bearing loading sports.

Main Outcome Measurements

The primary outcome measure was self-reported physician-diagnosed OA, whereby Great Britain's Olympians confirmed that a physician had previously diagnosed them with the condition. The most severe limb was selected as the index joint for data analysis, if bilateral.

Results

Knee (14%), hip (11%), and the lumbar spine (5%) are most likely affected by OA. Injury appeared the strongest modifiable risk factor for knee [aOR 4.89; 95% CI, 2.64–9.06] and hip OA [aOR 10.46; 95% CI, 3.67–29.83]. Hypermobility appeared a risk factor for knee OA only [aOR 2.26; 95% CI, 1.08–4.74]. Intra-articular injuries through participation in weight-bearing loading sports were consistently reported in those with peripheral joint OA.

Conclusions

As one of the few modifiable risk factors, joint injury prevention should be part of the future initiatives to reduce the risk of OA.
EPIDEMIOLOGY OF TRAINING INJURIES IN ELITE INDIAN JUDOKAS – A PROSPECTIVE STUDY
Authors: Dande Jahnavi , Mallick Anirban
Published: August 2017

Background

Judo has a relatively high injury risk and hence research on training injuries in judokas can identify the risk factors and help to develop specific prevention programs. Few studies have reported data on training injuries in judokas.

Objective

To present an epidemiological study of training injuries in elite Indian judokas.

Design

Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting

Elite Indian judokas training at National Institute of Sports, under centre of excellence scheme.

Participants

45 judokas (22 male and 23 female) were followed up from June 2011 to May 2016.

Assessment of Risk Factors

Height, weight, age, BMI were recorded at the time of their admission. Training data were recorded as per training log. Injury data were collected using a validated assessment tool by Finchet al(2008). Competition injuries were excluded.

Main Outcome Measurements

Injury rate, average injury risk, re-injury risk, location, type and severity of injuries (time loss) were analyzed and compared.

Results

The injury rate was 0.75 (95% CI, 0.63–0.88) injuries per athlete year. The rate per 1000 exposures was 26.0 (95% CI, 6.0–46) in males and 43.1 (95% CI, 24–62) in females. Average risk or incidence proportion was 0.73 (0.82 in males and 0.65 in females). The observed re injury risk (average probability an injured athlete is at risk of repeated injury) was 0.79 of injured athletes. No significant difference was observed in terms of body parts injured between men and women (p>0.05). Injuries most frequently occurred in the lower limbs (40.7% in males and 43.2% in females) followed by upper limbs, trunk, head and neck. The most common injury type was a ligament sprain (37%). Grade 3 injuries were significantly more common in women than men (p<0.05).

Conclusions

Indian male judokas have a high average risk of training injuries. Women are more prone to re injuries and severe injuries. Further studies are needed to address the impact of training- related risk factors for injury to implement effective preventive measures.
INFLUENCE OF FATIGUE ON HAMSTRING MUSCLE FUNCTION DURING REPEATED SPRINTS
Authors: EDOUARD Pascal , GIMENEZ Philippe , ARNAL Pierrick , JIMENEZ-REYES Pedro , SAMOZINO Pierre , Jurdan MENDIGUCHIA , BRUGHELLI Matt , MORIN Jean-Benoît
Published: August 2017

Background

The hamstring muscles are the most injured muscles in athletes practicing sprints. In addition, they seem greatly contributing to the production of horizontal force, a key element in the sprint acceleration performance.

Objective

To experimentally analyse the relationship between horizontal force production and hamstrings strength during maximum-velocity treadmill sprints with and without fatigue.

Design

Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Setting

Laboratory study on competitor-level athletes.

Participants

14 healthy male athletes trained for sprint running.

Main Outcome Measurements

Comparison analyses of the following parameters before and after 12 6-seconds sprints separated by 44 seconds of recovery on an instrumented treadmill sprint: horizontal ground force production, EMG activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus biceps femoris and gluteus muscles, maximum isokinetic strength of the flexors and extensors of the hip and knee measured at 120°/s in concentric and eccentric before and just after the 12 sprints.

Results

For the best performance sprint, the multiple linear regression analysis showed a significant relationship (p=0.02) between the horizontal force and the combination of EMG activity of the biceps femoris in late swing phase of the stride and the eccentric isokinetic strength of the knee flexors. After the 12 sprints, there was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in sprint performance (−6.6%), horizontal force (−8.6%), isokinetic strength (−5.8 to -11.9%) and muscle activity (−5.0 to −38.9%), and there was a significant correlation between the horizontal force and eccentric strength of the knee extensors (r=0.640; p<0.02), and concentric strength of hip extensors (r=0.676; p<0.01).

Conclusions

For a high-performance acceleration, it would seem necessary to be able both to strongly activate the hamstrings just before ground contact and have a great capacity eccentric strength of the hamstrings. In fatigue conditions, horizontal force reduction would seem not only related to the strength of decreased hamstring, but with the knee extensors eccentric strength decrease.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL INJURY SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM DURING MAJOR ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: WHAT IS THE METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY?
Authors: EDOUARD Pascal , BRANCO Pedro , ALONSO Juan-Manuel , JUNGE Astrid
Published: August 2017

Background

Epidemiological studies with injury surveillance during major athletics championships are of interest to improve the knowledge on injury incidence and prevalence in this context. However, the quality of the injury surveillance system has an influence on the quality of the data.

Objective

To analyse the quality of and compliance with the injury surveillance system used during major athletics championships.

Design

Prospective study.

Setting

14 international athletics championships from 2007 to 2015; Elite athletics level.

Participants

A total of 1560 countries, 15463 registered athletes and the 14 local organizing committee medical organizations (LOC).

Main Outcome Measurements

The quality of the injury surveillance system was analysed following the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines including the following parameters: simplicity, flexibility, data quality (completeness and validity of data), acceptability, sensitivity, positive predictive value, representativeness, stability and availability, timeliness, and security and confidentiality. In addition, medical team participation, coverage of athletes by medical teams, response rate of daily report forms and completeness of injury data were analysed.

Results

On average 41.7±17.4% (mean±standard deviation) of all registered countries participated in the injury surveillance project, accounting for a coverage of athletes of 79.5±10.2% of all registered athletes. Their medical staff returned 89.2±8.4% of the expected injury report forms (information is missing for one championship). The completeness of injury data provided by medical teams and LOC averaged 95.8±6.5%. National medical teams reported 60.6±16.6% of all injuries, and LOC 28.7±15.0% whereas 10.6±6.5% of injuries were reported by both.

Conclusions

The injury surveillance system used during international athletics championships had good methodological qualities, with high national medical team participation, coverage of athletes, response rates and completeness of injury data. These parameters should be systematically given when reporting injury surveillance studies to show the methodological quality of the study.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN HAND-HELD DYNAMOMETER MEASURES OF HAMSTRING STRENGTH AND FORCE OBTAINED FROM THE NORDIC HAMSTRING EXERCISE
Authors: Evans Kate , Williams Morgan
Published: August 2017

Background

The Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) is included in many injury prevention programmes. Recently, a device that measures force at both ankles during the NHE has been introduced to help monitor and track an athlete's progress. Understanding the association between different hamstring strength protocols may reveal a better understanding of the NHE as an assessment and help practitioners to decide on its application.

Objective

To explore the associations between a series of hamstring strength measures obtained from a hand-held dynamometer with the force obtained during a NHE.

Design

This cross-sectional study involved participants being measured during a single session. Associations between all individual measures were assessed. In addition, the combined effect of the hand-held measures to predict Nordic eccentric strength (NES) were explored.

Setting

Professional team sports.

Patients (or Participants)

Seventy-nine professional male team sport athletes.

Main Outcome Measurements

NES obtained from a commercial device. Hand held dynamometry break assessments of hip extension (HE), hamstring inner range strength (HI) and hamstring strength at 30° knee flexion (H30).

Results

Based on the univariate correlations between variables (preferred limb only), the smallest association was between NES and HE (r2=0.02) and the largest association between NES and HI (r2=0.26). Using multiple regression, HI (P=0.0001) and H30 (P=0.0083) predicted NES (r2=0.32; RMSE=64N; P<0.0001). The model was not improved with the addition of HE (r2=0.33; RMSE=64N; P<0.0001).

Conclusions

Each hamstring strength assessment may offer unique information about the current hamstring strength quality of an athlete. Despite, HI having the largest effect, and the improved model with the addition of H30, handheld dynamometry replacing the using these measures in place of NES obtained from a commercial device is not advised.
PSYCHOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH INJURY PREVENTION: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: Gledhill Adam , Murray Eliot , Forsdyke Dale
Published: August 2017

Background

Sports injuries can have broad reaching health, performance, and financially-related problems for individual athletes and teams. There are widely recognized psychological injury risk factors therefore it follows that psychological skills training may be able to reduce the levels of injury risk.

Objective

To examine the relationship between psychological injury prevention interventions and injury risk reduction.

Design

Systematic review adopting PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO reg. CRD42016035879).

Setting

Databases searched were CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, PubMed and Science Direct. RCTs, non-RCTs that incorporated a comparison group, pre- and post- designs, and qualitative studies were eligible.

Patients (or Participants)

Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies included 1306 athletes (female n=520; male n=786) with an age range of 10–33 years and drawn from regional to international level sports.

Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors)

Varying psychological intervention strategies of varying modalities, intensities and volumes were adopted in the final studies.

Main Outcome Measurements

Mixed-methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to appraise study quality.

Results

Studies were appraised as having a moderate risk of bias in reporting. Eleven of the 12 included studies demonstrated a reduced injury risk as a result of the intervention. Five of the 12 included studies demonstrated a statistically significant difference. There is a bias towards the Stress Injury Model as the theoretical underpinning, contributing to a bias towards stress management studies. There is a dearth of literature which considers the role of psychological skills training in reducing non-stress related risk factors (e.g. imagery training to manage neuromuscular deficiency).

Conclusions

Evidence suggests psychological skills training can reduce the risk of sports injury occurrence, however this claim is drawn on research with a moderate risk of reporting bias.
Developmental Approach for Behavior Learning Using Primitive Motion Skills
Authors: Dawood Farhan , Loo Chu Kiong
Published: August 2017

Imitation learning through self-exploration is essential in developing sensorimotor skills. Most developmental theories emphasize that social interactions, especially understanding of observed actions, could be first achieved through imitation, yet the discussion on the origin of primitive imitative abilities is often neglected, referring instead to the possibility of its innateness. This paper presents a developmental model of imitation learning based on the hypothesis that humanoid robot acquires imitative abilities as induced by sensorimotor associative learning through self-exploration. In designing such learning system, several key issues will be addressed: automatic segmentation of the observed actions into motion primitives using raw images acquired from the camera without requiring any kinematic model; incremental learning of spatio-temporal motion sequences to dynamically generates a topological structure in a self-stabilizing manner; organization of the learned data for easy and efficient retrieval using a dynamic associative memory; and utilizing segmented motion primitives to generate complex behavior by the combining these motion primitives. In our experiment, the self-posture is acquired through observing the image of its own body posture while performing the action in front of a mirror through body babbling. The complete architecture was evaluated by simulation and real robot experiments performed on DARwIn-OP humanoid robot.
SECM APPLIED FOR RESEARCHING THE MICROSCOPIC MORPHOLOGY AND CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF ENAMEL COATING ON MILD STEEL IN AQUEOUS CHLORIDE SOLUTIONS
Authors: LI Y. L. , HUANG Z. R. , ZHONG Q. D. , CHEN C. , XU Y. X.
Published: August 2017

The microstructures, morphology features and the corrosion resistance of the different particle diameters of enamel coating were investigated in this paper. All enamel coating samples were immersed in 5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution. The effects of the diameter of micron-dimension enamel particles on the mild steel were discussed and the corrosion resistance of the different coatings were characterized by potentiodynamic polarization curves, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), the SECM was employed to identify the local reactivity and then estimate where pittings happen. In this paper, six kinds of diameter of enamel particles were sintered at 780[Formula: see text]C on mild steel. The results indicated that the corrosion resistance of the enamel coating immersed in 5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution improved first and then declined with the decrease of particle size. Used by SEM and SECM, the result showed that as enamel particles become more small, the binding force becomes stronger. However, as the diameter of enamel particles decrease, the uniformity of the coating first improves and then decreases.
PASSIVATION OF CRYSTALLINE SILICON ON POROUS SILICON SURFACE TREATED BY ERBIUM OXIDES (Er2O3) FOR ENHANCEMENT THE PHOTOVOLTAIC PROPERTIES
Authors: BOUZNIF ZOUHIER , ZARROUG AHMED , HAMED ZIED BEN , DERBALI LOTFI , EZZAOUIA HATEM
Published: August 2017

The aim of this paper is to study the effect of erbium oxide (Er2O3) on porous silicon (PS) wafers used for photovoltaic application. An immersion of PS wafers in Er2O3 solution can be used to enhance light trapping and form an efficient surface by passivation process. PS was prepared by the stain-etching method and doped by Er species. In fact, the topography was investigated by the scanning electron microscope (SEM). In addition, the spectral behaviors of the reflectivity and the photoluminescence were discussed. The dependence of minority carrier lifetime was evaluated by means of the Quasi-Steady-State Photoconductance technique (QSSPC). Besides, an enhancement in lifetime was observed. A framework is provided for estimating an efficiency improvement in studied films which will help to guide the development of improved energy-efficient.
Some dynamical properties for free semigroup actions
Authors: Hui Huihui , Ma Dongkui
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we introduce the notions of weakly mixing and totally transitivity for a free semigroup action. Let [Formula: see text] be a free semigroup acting on a compact metric space generated by continuous open self-maps. Assuming shadowing for [Formula: see text] we relate the average shadowing property of [Formula: see text] to totally transitivity and its variants. Also, we study some properties such as mixing, shadowing and average shadowing properties, transitivity, chain transitivity, chain mixing and specification property for a free semigroup action.
On the zeros of linear combinations of derivatives of the Riemann zeta function, II
Authors: Koutsaki K. Paolina , Tamazyan Albert , Zaharescu Alexandru
Published: August 2017

The relevant number to the Dirichlet series [Formula: see text], is defined to be the unique integer [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text], which maximizes the quantity [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we classify the set of all relevant numbers to the Dirichlet [Formula: see text]-functions. The zeros of linear combinations of [Formula: see text] and its derivatives are also studied. We give an asymptotic formula for the supremum of the real parts of zeros of such combinations. We also compute the degree of the largest derivative needed for such a combination to vanish at a certain point.
Davenport–Zannier polynomials over ℚ
Authors: Pakovich Fedor , Zvonkin Alexander K.
Published: August 2017

In this paper, we study pairs of polynomials with a given factorization pattern and such that the degree of their difference attains its minimum. We call such pairs of polynomials Davenport–Zannier pairs (DZ-pairs). The paper is devoted to the study of DZ-pairs with rational coefficients. In our earlier paper [F. Pakovich and A. K. Zvonkin, Minimum degree of the difference of two polynomials over [Formula: see text], and weighted plane trees, Selecta Math., (N.S.) 20(4) (2014) 1003–1065], in the framework of the theory of dessins d’enfants, we established a correspondence between DZ-pairs and weighted bicolored plane trees. These are bicolored plane trees whose edges are endowed with positive integral weights. When such a tree is uniquely determined by the set of black and white degrees of its vertices, it is called unitree, and the corresponding DZ-pair is defined over [Formula: see text]. In our cited paper above, we classified all unitrees. In this paper, we compute all the corresponding polynomials. We also present some additional material concerning the Galois theory of DZ-pairs and weighted trees.
MoS2/Au-Sensitized TiO2Nanotube Arrays with Core–Shell Nanostructure for Hydrogen Production
Authors: Cheng Xiaorong , Lu Yuhua , Gu Shoulin , Dawson Graham
Published: August 2017

Herein, a TiO2NTAs-Au-MoS2core–shell photoanode was constructed with the intention to fulfill the efficient transfer of photo-generated carriers to the photoelectrode’s surface. Au nanoparticles were decorated by a drop casting method, and the MoS2layer was deposited above the Au nanoparticles using a photoreduction-annealing process. Au nanoparticles were well dispersed on the inner wall of the TiO2nanotubes and covered by the MoS2layer, forming a core–shell nanostructure. The MoS2layer significantly improved the attachment between Au nanoparticles and TiO2NTAs, resulting in increased PEC stability and performance. Attributed to the excitation of Au nanoparticles’ localized surface plasmon resonance effect and visible light utilization of MoS2, the TiO2NTAs-Au-MoS2core–shell photoanode exhibits greatly enhanced photocurrent density. An increase from 67[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2to 234[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2under Xe lamp illumination and from 2.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2to 12.6[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]A/cm2under visible light illumination ([Formula: see text][Formula: see text]nm) compared with the TiO2NTAs was observed.
Dynamical behaviors of a diffusive predator–prey model with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response and disease in the prey
Authors: Yang Wensheng
Published: August 2017

The dynamical behaviors of a diffusive predator–prey model with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response and disease in the prey is considered in this work. By applying the comparison principle, linearized method, Lyapunov function and iterative method, we are able to achieve sufficient conditions of the permanence, the local stability and global stability of the boundary equilibria and the positive equilibrium, respectively. Our result complements and supplements some known ones.
A neigborhood union condition for nonadjacent vertices in graphs
Authors: Shaveisi Farzad
Published: August 2017

A simple graph [Formula: see text] is called [Formula: see text]-bounded if for every two nonadjacent vertices [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] there exists a vertex [Formula: see text] such that [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] denotes the set of neighbors of the vertex [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]. In this paper, some properties of [Formula: see text]-bounded graphs are studied. It is shown that any bipartite [Formula: see text]-bounded graph is a complete bipartite graph with at most two horns; in particular, any [Formula: see text]-bounded tree is either a star or a two-star graph. Also, we prove that any non-end vertex of every [Formula: see text]-bounded graph is contained in either a triangle or a rectangle. Among other results, it is shown that all regular [Formula: see text]-bounded graphs are strongly regular graphs. Finally, we determine that how many edges can an [Formula: see text]-bounded graph have?
Predicting the Rise of EU Right-Wing Populism in Response to Unbalanced Immigration
Authors: Podobnik Boris , Jusup Marko , Kovac Dejan , Stanley H. E.
Published: August 2017

Among the central tenets of globalization is the free migration of labor. Although much has been written about the benefits of globalization, little is known about its limitations and how antiglobalist sentiment can be strongly affected by high levels of immigration. Analyzing poll data from a group of EU countries affected by the recent migrant crisis, we find that over the last three years the percentage of right-wing (RW) populist voters in a given country depends on the prevalence of immigrants in this country’s population and the total immigration inflow into the entire EU. The latter is likely due to the perception that the EU functions as a supranational state in which a lack of inner borders means that “someone else’s problem” can easily become “my problem.” We find that the increase in the percentage of RW voters substantially surpasses the percentage of immigration inflow, implying that if this process continues, ongoing democratic processes will cause RW populism to prevail and globalization to rapidly decrease. We locate tipping points between the fraction of immigrants and the rise of RW populism, and we model our empirical findings using a complex network framework in which the success of globalization rests on a balance between immigration and immigrant integration.
Clinical Applications of Immunotherapy Combination Methods and New Opportunities for the Future
Authors: Esin Ece
Published: August 2017

In the last decade, we have gained a deeper understanding of innate immune system. The mechanism of the continuous guarding of progressive mutations happening in a single cell was discovered and the production and the recognition of tumor associated antigens by the T-cells and elimination of numerous tumors by immune-editing were further understood. The new discoveries on immune mechanisms and its relation with carcinogenesis have led to development of a new class of drugs called immunotherapeutics. T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4, programmed cell death protein 1, and programmed cell death protein ligand 1 are the classes drugs based on immunologic manipulation and are collectively known as the “checkpoint inhibitors.” Checkpoint inhibitors have shown remarkable antitumor efficacy in a broad spectrum of malignancies; however, the strongest and most durable immune responses do not last long and the more durable responses only occur in a small subset of patients. One of the solutions which have been put forth to overcome these challenges is combination strategies. Among the dual use of methods, a backbone with either PD-1 or PD-L1 antagonist drugs alongside with certain cytotoxic chemotherapies, radiation, targeted drugs, and novel checkpoint stimulators is the most promising approach and will be on stage in forthcoming years.
Infectious Endocarditis from Enterococcus faecalis Associated with Tubular Adenoma of the Sigmoid Colon
Authors: Silva Emilly Caroline de Freitas , Montalvão Camila Ronchini , Bonafé Simone
Published: August 2017

Introduction. Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), a constituent of the gut microbiota, can be associated with both colonic lesions and endocarditis. Since this microorganism is one of the endocarditis etiological agents, there is a need for greater study in regard to the association with endocarditis and colonic lesions. Case Presentation. This is the case description of a 53-year-old man with history of prolapse of the anterior mitral valve leaflet who was diagnosed with endocarditis by E. faecalis and treated with ampicillin and gentamicin. Upon investigation by colonoscopy, he was found to have a tubular adenoma with low grade dysplasia. Conclusion. There are a few descriptions in scientific literature of an association between endocarditis by E. faecalis and colonic lesions. However, further studies with significant correlation between the two pathologies are required, so that proper measures can be implemented in clinical practice.
Shallow‐Water‐Equation Model for Simulation of Earthquake‐Induced Water Waves
Authors: Ai Hongzhou , Yao Lingkan , Zhao Haixin , Zhou Yiliang
Published: August 2017

A shallow‐water equation (SWE) is used to simulate earthquake‐induced water waves in this study. A finite‐difference method is used to calculate the SWE. The model is verified against the models of Sato and of Demirel and Aydin with three kinds of seismic waves, and the numerical results of earthquake‐induced water waves calculated using the proposed model are reasonable. It is also demonstrated that the proposed model is reliable. Finally, an empirical equation for the maximum water elevation of earthquake‐induced water waves is developed based on the results obtained using the model, which is an improvement on former models.
A Fuzzy Simulation Model for Military Vehicle Mobility Assessment
Authors: George Aby K. , Singh Harpreet , Dattathreya Macam S. , Meitzler Thomas J.
Published: August 2017

There has been increasing interest in improving the mobility of ground vehicles. The interest is greater in predicting the mobility for military vehicles. In this paper, authors review various definitions of mobility. Based on this review, a new definition of mobility called fuzzy mobility is given. An algorithm for fuzzy mobility assessment is described with the help of fuzzy rules. The simulation is carried out and its implementation, testing, and validation strategies are discussed.
Electroacupuncture Improved Hippocampal Neurogenesis following Traumatic Brain Injury in Mice through Inhibition of TLR4 Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ye Yuqin , Yang Yongxiang , Chen Chen , Li Ze , Jia Yanfeng , Su Xinhong , Wang Chaoxian , He Xiaosheng
Published: August 2017

The protective role of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment in diverse neurological diseases such as ischemic stroke is well acknowledged. However, whether and how EA act on hippocampal neurogenesis following traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the effect of EA on hippocampal neurogenesis and neurological functions, as well as its underlying association with toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signaling in TBI mice. BrdU/NeuN immunofluorescence was performed to label newborn neurons in the hippocampus after EA treatment. Water maze test and neurological severity score were used to evaluate neurological function posttrauma. The hippocampal level of TLR4 and downstream molecules and inflammatory cytokines were, respectively, detected by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. EA enhanced hippocampal neurogenesis and inhibited TLR4 expression at 21, 28, and 35 days after TBI, but the beneficial effects of EA on posttraumatic neurogenesis and neurological functions were attenuated by lipopolysaccharide-induced TLR4 activation. In addition, EA exerted an inhibitory effect on both TLR4/Myd88/NF-κB and TLR4/TRIF/NF-κB pathways, as well as the inflammatory cytokine expression in the hippocampus following TBI. In conclusion, EA promoted hippocampal neurogenesis and neurological recovery through inhibition of TLR4 signaling pathway posttrauma, which may be a potential approach to improve the outcome of TBI.
Beyond Immune Cell Migration: The Emerging Role of the Sphingosine-1-phosphate Receptor S1PR4 as a Modulator of Innate Immune Cell Activation
Authors: Olesch Catherine , Ringel Christian , Brüne Bernhard , Weigert Andreas
Published: August 2017

The sphingolipid sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) emerges as an important regulator of immunity, mainly by signaling through a family of five specific G protein-coupled receptors (S1PR1–5). While S1P signaling generally has the potential to affect not only trafficking but also differentiation, activation, and survival of a diverse range of immune cells, the specific outcome depends on the S1P receptor repertoire expressed on a given cell. Among the S1PRs, S1PR4 is specifically abundant in immune cells, suggesting a major role of the S1P/S1PR4 axis in immunity. Recent studies indeed highlight its role in activation of immune cells, differentiation, and, potentially, trafficking. In this review, we summarize the emerging data that support a major role of S1PR4 in modulating immunity in humans and mice and discuss therapeutic implications.
Fortification of Ogi with Whey Increases Essential Amino Acids Content of Fortified Product
Authors: Omole J. O. , Ighodaro O. M. , Durosinolorun O.
Published: August 2017

The inability of humans to synthesize essential amino acids (EAA) necessitates the need to increase the levels of these nutrient molecules in certain foods in which they are deficient. Maize ogi is a typical food product for both infants and adults in Africa, but with poor EAA content. This study therefore sought to assess the possibility of increasing the EAA content in maize ogi by processing it with cheese whey instead of water. Maize ogi and whey-fortified ogi were prepared by the usual procedure of grain soaking, milling, and drying. Samples from both treatments were subjected to proximate composition and amino acid profile analyses using Waters 616/626 LC (HPLC) instrument. L-lysine, L-trytophan, and L-methionine contents in maize ogi remarkably increased from 0.52, 0.15, and 0.90 mg/100 gm sample, respectively, to 0.90, 240, and 1.320 mg/100 gm sample in whey-fortified ogi. There were also significant increases in other EAA contents of whey-fortified ogi relative to its counterpart (normal maize ogi). The sum increase in EAA contents (9,405 mg) correlates with the increase in protein (1 gm) per gram sample. This study demonstrates that cheese whey increases EAA content in maize ogi and suggests that whey-fortified maize ogi may be a preferred alternative to water processed maize ogi.
Intelligent Physical Exercise Training in a Workplace Setting Improves Muscle Strength and Musculoskeletal Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Dalager Tina , Justesen Just Bendix , Sjøgaard Gisela
Published: August 2017

Purpose. To assess effects of 1-year Intelligent Physical Exercise Training (IPET) on musculoskeletal health. Methods. Office workers were randomized 1 : 1 to a training group, TG (N=193), or a control group, CG (N=194). TG received 1 h supervised high intensity IPET every week within working hours for 1 year and was recommended to perform 30 min of moderate intensity physical activity for 6 days a week during leisure. The IPET program was based on baseline health measures. Results. No baseline differences were present. An intention-to-treat analysis showed significant between-group effect for muscle strength but not for musculoskeletal pain. However, a per-protocol analysis of those with an adherence of ≥70% demonstrated a significant between-group effect for neck pain during the past three months. Several significant within-group changes were present, where TG and TG ≥ 70% demonstrated clinically relevant pain reductions whereas minimal reductions were seen for CG. Conclusion. IPET and recommendations of moderate intensity physical activity demonstrated significant between-group effect on muscle strength. Interestingly, significant within-group reductions in musculoskeletal pain were seen not only in TG but also in CG. This may underlie the lack of such between-group effect and shows that a possible positive side effect of merely drawing attention can improve musculoskeletal health.
A New Approach on Vibrating Horns Design
Authors: Guiman Maria Violeta , Roșca Ioan Călin
Published: August 2017

An optimization method of the vibrating horns is presented considering the smallest action principle and the attached cutting tool mass. The model is based on Webster’s wave propagation equation and as an objective function the minimization of the volume in structural equilibrium conditions was considered. The considered input parameters were working frequency, maximum cross-sectional area, magnification coefficient, and the attached mass. At the end of the study, a new shape function of the horn’s cross section is obtained. The particularity of the new obtained shape is given by the nodal point position that is the same with the position of the maximum cross-sectional area. The obtained horn was analyzed from the modal point of view using theoretical and experimental methods. As theoretical methods, both the state-space method and the finite element method were used. An experimental setup for frequency response function determination was developed using a random input signal. The verification of the magnitude value was done considering a harmonic steady-state signal. The recorded values were compared with the predicted values. The numerical simulations and tests support the validity of the assumptions used in the horns optimization design.
Multisynchronization for Coupled Multistable Fractional-Order Neural Networks via Impulsive Control
Authors: Zhang Jin-E
Published: August 2017

We show that every subnetwork of a class of coupled fractional-order neural networks consisting of N identical subnetworks can have r+1n locally Mittag-Leffler stable equilibria. In addition, we give some algebraic criteria for ascertaining the static multisynchronization of coupled fractional-order neural networks with fixed and switching topologies, respectively. The obtained theoretical results characterize multisynchronization feature for multistable control systems. Two numerical examples are given to verify the superiority of the proposed results.
Bridging the Gaps in Patient Education for DBS Surgery in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Knoop Colleen D. , Kadish Robert , Hager Kathy , Park Michael C. , Loprinzi Paul D. , LaFaver Kathrin
Published: August 2017

Introduction. Improvements in quality of life, tremor, and other motor features have been recognized as superior in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease (PD) treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery versus best medical therapy. We studied a group of patients with PD after undergoing DBS surgery in regard to expectations and satisfaction with DBS outcomes to determine gaps in patient education.Methods. This study was a retrospective, single academic center chart review and outcome questionnaire sent to patients with PD who had undergone DBS surgery between 2007 and 2014.Results. All patients surveyed indicated that benefit from DBS surgery met their overall expectations at least partially, but only 46.4% (SE: 9.6%) were in complete agreement. 3.6% (SE: 3.6%) of participants strongly disagreed that preoperative education prepared them adequately for the procedure and 17.9% (SE: 7.4%) only somewhat agreed.Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate that patients’ expectations of DBS surgery in PD were at least partially met. However, there was a considerable percentage of patients who did not feel adequately prepared for the procedure. A structured, multidisciplinary team approach in educating PD patients throughout the different stages of DBS surgery may be helpful in optimizing patients’ experience and satisfaction with surgery outcomes.
Composite Learning Sliding Mode Control of Flexible-Link Manipulator
Authors: Xu Bin , Zhang Pengchao
Published: August 2017

This paper studies the control of a flexible-link manipulator with uncertainty. The fast and slow dynamics are derived based on the singular perturbation (SP) theory. The sliding mode control is proposed while the adaptive design is developed using neural networks (NNs) and disturbance observer (DOB) where the novel update laws for NN and DOB are designed. The closed-loop system stability is guaranteed via Lyapunov analysis. The effectiveness of the proposed method is verified via simulation test.
Quality of life of hypertensive and diabetic elderly in an outpatient clinic
Authors: Esteves Marlene , Vendramini Silvia H. F. , Santos Maria de Lourdes S. G. , Brandão Vânia Z. , Soler Zaida A. S. G. , Lourenção Luciano G.
Published: August 2017

Model of study: The study design was a populational, cross-sectional and descriptive. Objective: To evaluate the quality of life of high blood pressure and diabetic elderly outpatients of a teaching hospital in the interior of Sao Paulo State, Brazil. Methodology: The study was done in a Geriatrics Outpatient Service in São José do Rio Preto, involved 62 elderly patients with high blood pressure and/or diabetes mellitus treated in the period from December 2009 to February 2010. The data were collected with the WHOQOL-OLD, analyzed with the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software, with tests Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric and Pearson's correlation; the level of significance was set to a value of p<0.05. Results: A total of 38 elderly patients studied (61.3%) have high blood pressure, and 23 (37.1%) were diabetics. The age was 67±7 (mean, SD). Characteristics of the sample studied were: female (58.1%), elementary school (87.1%), married status (56.4%), professions linked to the sector of services (56.4%), the income of 1 minimum wage (66.1%) and living with the spouse (58.1%). The highest median score (75.0) was found in the facets "Past, present and future" "Activities", "Social participation", "Death and dying" and "Intimacy". The facet "Autonomy" showed the lowest scoring of 62.5. The elderly with high blood pressure had a lower score compared to patients with diabetes in "Sensory Functioning" facet (62.17 versus 73.64, respectively). Conclusion: The elderly showed a lower quality of life in the "Autonomy" and best quality for facets: "Past, present and future", "Activities", "Social participation", "Death and dying" and "Intimacy". There was not difference in the quality of life among elderly with diabetes and high blood pressure patients, except for a tendency to lower "Sensory Functioning" facet in high blood pressure patients
Analysis of access and care among PMAQ-AB results and users satisfaction of emergency department: similarities and differences
Authors: Gomide Mariana Figueiredo Souza , Pinto Ione Carvalho , Zacharias Fabiana Costa Machado , Ferro Denise
Published: August 2017

The objective was to identify similarities and differences about user satisfaction with Primary Health Care (PHC) in the dimensions of access and care from non-urgent care in emergency care (EC) in Ribeirão Preto-SP with the National Program Evaluation Improving Access and Quality of Primary Care (PMAQ-AB), whose evaluation in Ribeirão Preto happened in same period. It was a quantitative study in the PA units of the five Health Districts.The study included 514 users who received at least one appointment in the PHC in the six months preceding the survey. We used the EUROPEP instrument - European Task Force on Patient Evaluation of General Practice Care and diary as data sources. It was based on the results of the dimensions of access and host PMAQ assessment to identify similarities and differences between what users of this study reported. During recruitment of users we realized that many did not receive medical care in PHC in the last six months justifying the difficulty in getting vaccancy and when they get sick and need to look for EC. We have that 12.7% were treated on the same day that sought to PHC. Of the 87.3% that have not met the same day, the average waiting time between the day of marking and the day of appointment on the PHC was 58 days, 42.4% of users answered "bad" about the ease in making an appointment. The results converge with PMAQ-AB results signaled underperforming to host the spontaneous demand. However, the good evaluation of PMAQ-AB in the category marking appointment diverged with the results of this study it was constant complaint by the delay in scheduling appointments. We conclude that users seen in EC in Ribeirão Preto-SP not recognize PHC as a regular source of care, which may interfere with non-adherence to these continuous service, resulting in the search for urgent and emergency services to treat injuries that could be resolved in the PHC