bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adherence to Inpatient Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis: A Single Institution’s Concurrent Review
Authors: Bauer Tyler M. , Johnson Adam P. , Dukleska Katerina , Beck Johanna , Dworkin Myles S. , Patel Kamini , Cowan Scott W. , Merli Geno J.
Published: October 2018

Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects morbidity and mortality and increases health care costs. Poor adherence to recommended prophylaxis may be a potential cause of ongoing events. This study aims to identify institutional adherence rates and barriers to optimal VTE prophylaxis. The authors performed patient and nurse interviews and a concurrent review of clinical documentation, utilizing a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant tool, on a convenience sample of hospitalized patients. Adherence and agreement between different assessment modalities were calculated. Seventy-six patients consented for participation. Nurse documented adherence was 66% (29/44), 44% (27/61), and 89% (50/56) for mechanical, ambulatory, and chemoprophylactic prophylaxis, respectively. Patient report and nurse documentation showed moderate agreement for mechanical and no agreement for ambulatory adherence (κ = 0.51 and 0.07, respectively). Concurrent review using a cloud-based tool can provide robust, timely, and relevant information on adherence to recommended VTE prophylaxis. Iterative concurrent reviews can guide efforts to improve adherence and reduce rates of hospital-acquired VTE.
The Effects of Planning, Goal Setting, and Performance Feedback on Avoidance Behaviors for Struggling Readers
Authors: Stevenson Nathan A. , Mussalow Phoenix R.
Published: October 2018

To improve reading achievement, teachers must ensure students actively engage in productive and meaningful reading tasks. Students with an established history of reading difficulty—including those with reading disabilities—may, over time, develop behaviors for passive and active avoidance of reading tasks. The current study explored the effects of a behavioral intervention on the latency to engagement in reading tasks for middle school students with ( n = 3) and without ( n = 3) reading disabilities. A multicomponent intervention using planning, goal setting, and performance feedback was examined using a multiple baseline across participants design. Results of visual analysis indicated a functional relation between changes in latency and implementation of the intervention. Quantitative analysis indicated a strong overall effect that is statistically significant, Tau-U = −0.85, 95% CI = [–1, –0.35], p < .01. Limitations and recommendations for future research are discussed.
GCK Gene Screening and Association of GCK Variants With Gestational Diabetes in North Indian Population
Authors: Siddiqui Samreen , Waghdhare Swati , Gopi Sundaramoorthy , Bhargava Amit , Panda Manju , Radha Venkatesan , Mohan Viswanathan , Dubey Shweta , Jha Sujeet
Published: October 2018

Background:

GCK gene variants have been reported to be associated with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the Caucasian population. There are no reports exploring this association in the Indian population.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study included subjects from Max Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi, India, over a span of 6 months. Females diagnosed with GDM as per the International Association of the Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups (IADPSG) criteria were enrolled. Direct gene sequencing was performed to screen all 10 exons and promoter region of GCK gene.

Results:

Out of the total 1000 females screened, 154 subjects had any degree of hyperglycemia. GCK gene screening was done and we observed 11 variants in 80.4% (41/51) of the GDM subset and 89.6% (43/48) of the controls. Allele frequencies of observed variants were not different between the control subjects (12.5%) and those diagnosed with GDM (8.4%).

Conclusion:

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report from north India exploring association of GCK variants with GDM and we do not observe any association of GCK variants with GDM in our study population. CTRI Registration No: CTRI/2017/07/008964
Influence of surface functional parameters on friction behavior and elastic–plastic deformation of grinding surface in mixed lubrication state
Authors: Zhao Bin , Zhang Song , Li Jianfeng
Published: October 2018

Mixed lubrication is a common lubrication regime in sliding contact and has received much attention in recent research. The influences of surface topography on friction performance in this lubrication state are significant owing to the coexistence of fluid–solid contact and solid–solid contact conditions. First, an accuracy surface model is built based on wavelet transform results. Then, the average Reynolds equation is revised for a grinding surface to be used in simulation. Third, four surface roughness parameters ( Sa, Sbi, S ci, and Svi) are selected to characterize surface topography. Additionally, the impacts on the solid–solid contact area, friction coefficient, and surface flattening are investigated. Finally, optimizations of surface roughness parameters directed toward energy saving and sliding stability are conducted and verified. Simulation and experiment methods are jointly applied to guarantee the accuracy of this research. The result of this study can provide theoretical support for machining contact surfaces.
Analytical study on the tensile stiffness of headed stud connectors
Authors: Yang Fei , Liu Yuqing , Liang Chen
Published: October 2018

In the theoretical or numerical analysis of composite/hybrid structures, headed stud connectors at the steel–concrete interface are usually modelled as linear spring elements; thus, their tensile stiffness will be an essential parameter to affect the tensile force distribution. This article investigates the tensile stiffness of headed stud connectors through theoretical analysis combined with the existing pull-out test results. The pull-out displacement of headed stud connectors from concrete blocks mainly includes two parts: one part is the elastic elongation of the stud rod and another is the axial displacement of the stud head in concrete blocks resulted from the concrete elastic deformation. Mindlin’s solution is employed to predict the second part displacement with the introduction of an unknown coefficient, which is estimated based on the existing headed anchor pull-out test results. Subsequently, an equation for predicting the tensile stiffness of headed stud connectors is proposed. The predicting tensile stiffness for headed stud connectors with various stud heights presents a good agreement with the pull-out test results. Meanwhile, neglecting the axial displacement of the stud head in concrete blocks, especially for relatively short height headed studs, will produce an overestimated tensile stiffness.
Sprayed strain-hardening cement-based composite overlay for shear strengthening of unreinforced load-bearing masonry
Authors: van Zijl Gideon PAG , de Beer Leon
Published: October 2018

Strengthening of unreinforced masonry walls is realised by a bonded overlay of strain-hardening cement-based composite. In-plane shearing resistance is considered here, although out-of-plane resistance is also increased by the overlay. The strain-hardening cement-based composite mix is adjusted for sprayed application with low run-off and waste. Characterization of masonry joint shear-slip behaviour, interfacial response between the masonry substrate and the strain-hardening cement-based composite overlay and multiple cracking tensile response of the sprayed strain-hardening cement-based composite bond is described. Preferred failure of the composite by multiple cracking shearing in the strain-hardening cement-based composite overlay is achieved through structural mechanics–based design of the overlay. Drying shrinkage development and cracking due to restraint by the masonry substrate are reported. Finally, shear wall response is reported for single- and double-leaf masonry walls with a bonded strain-hardening cement-based composite overlay on one face only and compared with single- and double-leaf control masonry walls without overlays. An overlay of thickness similar to that of typical plaster rendering is shown to lead to significantly enhanced shearing response.
Residents’ perspectives on defining neighbourhood: mental mapping as a tool for participatory neighbourhood research
Authors: Catney Gemma , Frost Diane , Vaughn Leona
Published: October 2018

Definitions of neighbourhood in the Social Sciences are complex, varying in their characteristics (for example, perceived boundaries and content) and between residents of that neighbourhood (for example, by class and ethnicity). This study employs an under-utilised methodology offering strong potential for overcoming some of the difficulties associated with neighbourhood definitions. A mental mapping exercise involving local residents is showcased for an ethnically diverse working-class neighbourhood in south Liverpool. The results demonstrate distinctions between residents in the geographical demarcation of the area and the features included, with important implications for how neighbourhood is best measured and understood. We suggest that one size does not fit all in definitions of neighbourhood, and that mental mapping should form a more common part of a neighbourhood researcher’s toolkit.
Modelling counts with state-dependent zero inflation
Authors: MÖller Tobias A , Weiß Christian H , Kim Hee-Young
Published: October 2018

We introduce a state-dependent zero-inflation mechanism for count distributions with unbounded or bounded support. Instead of uniformly downweighting the parent distribution, this flexible approach allows us to generate most of the zeros from either low or high counts. We derive the stochastic properties of the inflated distributions and discuss special instances designed for zero inflation caused by, for example, excessive demand or underreporting. Furthermore, we apply the state-dependent zero-inflation mechanism to generalize existing models for count time series with bounded support.
Designing dementia-friendly gardens: A workshop for landscape architects: Innovative Practice
Authors: Charras Kevin , Bébin Corinne , Laulier Véronique , Mabire Jean-Bernard , Aquino Jean-Pierre
Published: October 2018

Conception and construction of nursing homes focuses mostly on architectural design. The cost of gardens and amount of work they require is usually underestimated. This often results in inaccessible, unfit and poorly designed outdoor spaces. This article describes a partnership between three French institutions established in response to the needs of people with cognitive disabilities. This partnership led to three different approaches (scientific, pedagogical and practical) with a common objective to provide dementia-friendly outdoor spaces.
Hyperglycaemia correlates with skeletal muscle capillary regression and is associated with alterations in the murine double minute-2/forkhead box O1/thrombospondin-1 pathway in type 1 diabetic BioBreeding rats
Authors: Aiken Julian , Mandel Erin R , Riddell Michael C , Birot Olivier
Published: October 2018

Type 1 diabetes can have deleterious effects on skeletal muscle and its microvasculature. Our laboratory has recently identified murine double minute-2 as a master regulator of muscle microvasculature by controlling expression levels of two key molecular actors of the angio-adaptive process: the pro-angiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor-A and the anti-angiogenic thrombospondin-1. Here, we show for the first time that in the soleus and plantaris muscles of the diabetes-prone BioBreeding rats, a rodent model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes, murine double minute-2 protein levels are significantly decreased, coinciding with elevated protein levels of thrombospondin-1 and its transcription factor forkhead box O1. Significant capillary regression was observed to similar extent in soleus and plantaris muscles of type 1 diabetic rats. Elevated blood glucose levels were correlated with the loss of capillaries, the reduction in murine double minute-2 expression and with the elevations in thrombospondin-1. Vascular endothelial growth factor-A protein levels were unaltered or even increased in diabetic animals, yet type 1 diabetic animals had less vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 abundance. The vascular endothelial growth factor-A/thrombospondin-1 ratio, a good indicator of skeletal muscle angio-adaptive environment, was decreased in type 1 diabetic muscle. Our results suggest that the murine double minute-2–forkhead box O1–thrombospondin-1 pathway plays an important role in angio-regulation of the skeletal muscle in the pathophysiological context of type 1 diabetes.
(Big) Data and the North-in-South: Australia’s Informational Imperialism and Digital Colonialism
Authors: Mann Monique , Daly Angela
Published: October 2018

Australia is a country firmly part of the Global North, yet geographically located in the Global South. This North-in-South divide plays out internally within Australia given its status as a British settler-colonial society which continues to perpetrate imperial and colonial practices vis-à-vis the Indigenous peoples and vis-à-vis Australia’s neighboring countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This article draws on and discusses five seminal examples forming a case study on Australia to examine big data practices through the lens of Southern Theory from a criminological perspective. We argue that Australia’s use of big data cements its status as a North-in-South environment where colonial domination is continued via modern technologies to effect enduring informational imperialism and digital colonialism. We conclude by outlining some promising ways in which data practices can be decolonized through Indigenous Data Sovereignty but acknowledge these are not currently the norm; so Australia’s digital colonialism/coloniality endures for the time being.
Decolonizing Privacy Studies
Authors: Arora Payal
Published: October 2018

This paper calls for an epistemic disobedience in privacy studies by decolonizing the approach to privacy. As technology companies expand their reach worldwide, the notion of privacy continues to be viewed through an ethnocentric lens. It disproportionately draws from empirical evidence on Western-based, white, and middle-class demographics. We need to break away from the market-driven neoliberal ideology and the Development paradigm long dictating media studies if we are to foster more inclusive privacy policies. This paper offers a set of propositions to de-naturalize and estrange data from demographic generalizations and cultural assumptions, namely, (1) predicting privacy harms through the history of social practice, (2) recalibrating the core-periphery as evolving and moving targets, and (3) de-exoticizing “natives” by situating privacy in ludic digital cultures. In essence, decolonizing privacy studies is as much an act of reimagining people and place as it is of dismantling essentialisms that are regurgitated through scholarship.
Analysis of compression property of height-alterable double-layer hollow tubular fabrics for industrial textiles
Authors: Du Zhaoqun , Wu Yuzhi , Zheng Dongming , Liu Gui
Published: October 2018

Tubular woven fabric can maintain a certain two-layer hollow height-alterable structure by heat setting, which quickly and effectively fills various materials, especially for the soft down feather. Therefore, by designing the pattern structure, a variable structure tubular fabric was designed and prepared by weaving equipment. We obtained a two-layer hollow height-alterable fabric by the heat-setting method and constructed a compression theory model. The compression process designed in this paper is the bending process of the fabric, so the bending deformation can be simplified into that of an elastically bent elastic rod. The results show that the theoretical curve and the actual compression curve are more consistent in the compression within strain 50%. The influence of key structural parameters on the compression performance of tubular fabric was also studied. On the basis of the model, the influence of material properties on the compression performance of tubular fabric was also discussed. The paper can provide theoretical guidance for the development of tubular fabrics with high hollow ratio and compression resistance in industrial textiles.
Design and evaluation of an avatar-based cultural training system
Authors: Brown Donald E. , Moenning Anne , Guerlain Stephanie , Turnbull Benton , Abel Daniel , Meyer Christine
Published: October 2018

The need for cultural training for members of the military, and supporting government and industrial organizations, has become more important because of the increasing expectations of effective collaborations between people of different cultures in order to achieve common security objectives. Additionally, the number and mix of countries, and cultural groups within those countries, make traditional classroom training less feasible. While good simulations have been built for cultural understanding, they have not been developed widely or used for pre-deployment training. This paper describes and evaluates an avatar-based game for pre-deployment training. The game is built around two scenarios from the Afghan culture: a market scenario, and a local leadership council scenario. The game also allows participants to reverse roles and play the part of an Afghan interacting with an American solider. To evaluate this avatar-based game, we developed an experimental design to test the effectiveness of the game versus commonly used video instruction, and to test the effectiveness of role reversals in training with games. Results show that participants trained with the avatar-based game had significantly improved understanding of Afghan culture ([Formula: see text]). However, role reversal did not improve performance. Additionally, responses to a questionnaire showed that participants in the avatar-based game had a much greater appreciation for their understanding of the Afghan culture than the more video-trained control group.
Short-term power load forecasting based on support vector machine and particle swarm optimization
Authors: Qiang Song , Pu Yang
Published: October 2018

In this work, we summarized the characteristics and influencing factors of load forecasting based on its application status. The common methods of the short-term load forecasting were analyzed to derive their advantages and disadvantages. According to the historical load and meteorological data in a certain region of Taizhou, Zhejiang Province, a least squares support vector machine model was used to discuss the influencing factors of forecasting. The regularity of the load change was concluded to correct the “abnormal data” in the historical load data, thus normalizing the relevant factors in load forecasting. The two parameters are as follows Gauss kernel function and Eigen parameter C in LSSVM had a significant impact on the model, which was still solved by empirical methods. Therefore, the particle swarm optimization was used to optimize the model parameters. Taking the error of test set as the basis of judgment, the optimization of model parameters was achieved to improve forecast accuracy. The practical examples showed that the method in the work had good convergence, forecast accuracy, and training speed.
The prevalence and pregnancy outcomes of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy: A retrospective clinical audit review
Authors: Gardiner Fergus W , McCuaig Ruth , Arthur Chris , Carins Thomas , Morton Adam , Laurie Josephine , Neeman Teresa , Lim Boon , Peek Michael J
Published: October 2018

Background

To determine the prevalence and outcomes of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Methods

A review comparing intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy pregnancies to all other pregnancies in three tertiary care Australian hospitals over a 36-month period.

Results

There were 43,876 pregnancies. The prevalence of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancies ( n = 319) was 0.7%. There were differences between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy and non-intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy mothers including higher prevalence of South Asian (22.6% versus 3.1%, p < 0.001), Indigenous Australian (3.8% versus 1.8%, p < 0.05), and Asian ethnicity (8.4% versus 5.7%, p < 0.05), mothers with a body mass index >35 kg/m2 (10.6% versus 5.5%, p < 0.001), those with diabetes mellitus (25.7% versus 9.8%, p < 0.001), and those with twin births (8.7% versus 2.2%, p < 0.001). The primary clinical outcomes of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy included a median gestational age at delivery of 36.4 (SE 0.09) weeks compared to 38.6 (SE 0.01) weeks (p < 0.001), a lower birth weight (3.12 (SE 0.03) versus 3.31 kg (SE 0.03), p < 0.001), and an increase in special care nursery admissions (44.5% versus 15.3%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Treated intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy in the population described here had similar mortality outcomes although increased special care nursery admission as compared to the general population.
Once-daily 5 mg tadalafil oral treatment for patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Benelli Andrea , Mariani Simone , Varca Virginia , Gregori Andrea , Barrese Franco , Cappa Manilo
Published: October 2018

Background:

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (IIIB CP/CPPS) is a condition of unclear aetiology. Many approaches have been used without satisfactory results. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of once-daily 5 mg tadalafil in pain control and improving quality of life in patients affected by CP/CPPS.

Methods:

Twenty patients affected by chronic prostatitis according EAU (European Association of Urology) guidelines were evaluated for once-daily 5 mg tadalafil; 14 patients were eligible for the study. The validated Italian version of the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) and the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaires were submitted to all the patients. Every patient underwent uroflowmetry and ultrasound prostatic volume at the beginning and at the end of the study.

Results:

All 14 patients eligible for the study reported an improvement of symptoms during therapy: statistically significant differences were reported in terms of NIH-CPSI ( p < 0.000002) and IPSS ( p < 0.0001) during follow-up evaluations. No statistically significant improvement of uroflowmetry parameters was reported during the treatment.

Conclusions:

In our study the daily use of 5 mg tadalafil improves symptoms and quality of life in patients affected by CP/CPPS after 4 weeks of therapy. A larger population of patients is needed to confirm the efficacy of this therapy in CP/CPPS.
Rhinosinusitis in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: Analysis of 4562 Transplanted Patients
Authors: Tzelnick Sharon , Soudry Ethan
Published: October 2018

Introduction

Survival rates of solid organ transplant recipients are steadily increasing. Chronic immunosuppression is a key to sustain the transplanted organ. Thus, these patients are at a higher risk for fulminant disease and severe complications of rhinosinusitis (RS). Surprisingly, this has been scarcely discussed in the literature.

Objective

To analyze the characteristics and disease course of RS in solid organ transplant recipients.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective study. Medical records of all solid organ transplant recipients with a diagnosis RS treated at a national transplant center between the years 2001 and 2016 were reviewed.

Results

Of 4562 solid organ transplant recipients, a documented diagnosis of RS was identified only in 61 (1.3%) patients. Sixty-four patients presented with posttransplantation RS; of them, 54.5% had chronic RS (CRS) and the remaining 45.5% patients were diagnosed with acute RS. Microbial cultures grew almost exclusively bacterial pathogens. A documented invasive fungal infection was noted in only 2 patients. A total of 24 (40%) patients underwent endoscopic sinus surgery, the majority (22) for CRS. On subgroup analysis, surgical intervention was more frequent in lung transplant recipients ( P = .005). Neither specific disease nor surgical complications were found.

Conclusions

Interestingly, acute fulminant infection or sinusitis complications in solid organ transplant patients were much lower than expected. CRS in this patient group was less frequent than expected as well. Whether chronic immunosuppression minimizes the likelihood for CRS deserves further investigation. A more surgically oriented approach in CRS patients may be favored early in the management course of medically refractory patients in light of patients excellent outcomes.
Head-down tilt position successfully prevent severe brain air embolism
Authors: Yamaguchi Gaku , Miura Hiroyuki , Nakajima Eiji , Ikeda Norihiko
Published: October 2018

Air embolisms are rare life-threatening complications that develop under various conditions, including surgery. During segmentectomy for thoracic surgery, air is blown into the selected bronchus for segment margin detection. This may result in the formation of an air embolus. Herein, we report a case of successful recovery from sudden intraoperative cardiac arrest due to an air embolism in a patient undergoing left superior division segmentectomy via open thoracotomy. Intraoperatively, the patient was positioned head-down. Upon blowing air into the bronchus, the patient suddenly developed cardiac arrest. Open-chest cardiac massage and low-temperature therapy were commenced and the patient recovered. The head-down position prevents the air embolus from reaching the brain and thus prevents severe brain damage, whereas continuous open-chest massage and low temperature prevents severe body damage from anticipated cardiac air embolism. Thus, operation in the head-down position is useful in preventing severe brain damage from brain air embolisms.
Children’s digital playgrounds as data assemblages: Problematics of privacy, personalization, and promotional culture
Authors: Smith Karen Louise , Shade Leslie Regan
Published: October 2018

Children’s digital playgrounds have evolved from commercialized digital spaces such as websites and games to include an array of convergent digital media consisting of social media platforms, mobile apps, and the internet of toys. In these digital spaces, children’s data is shared with companies for analytics, personalization, and advertising. This article describes children’s digital playgrounds as a data assemblage involving commercial surveillance of children, ages 3–12. The privacy sweep is used as a method to follow the personal information traces that can be expected to be disclosed through typical use of two children’s digital playgrounds: the YouTube Kids app and Fisher-Price Smart Toy plush animal and companion app. To trace the data flows, privacy policies and other publicly available documents were analyzed using political economy and privacy informed indicators. This article concludes by reflecting upon the dataveillance and commercialization practices that trouble the privacy rights of the child and parent when data assemblages in children’s digital playgrounds are surveillant.
The Reality That We Take on: A Humanistic Change in IT Venture Company
Authors: Nishikawa Kohei
Published: October 2018

Imura, CEO of Second Selection, started an IT venture company, after quitting another venture. Building on his past achievement, he converted the audacious dream into his venture. After some time, some of his reliable colleagues left the company. He did some introspection and hired a consultant to transform the mindset of his employees. To his surprise, initially the employees did not respond to the new changes being brought in. After 4 years of struggle, he was able to engage everyone in this transformation. The new management system was finally embracing the change.
Isolated Posterior Cruciate Reconstruction Results in Improved Functional Outcome but Low Rates of Return to Preinjury Level of Sport: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Devitt Brian M. , Dissanayake Ruchith , Clair Joseph , Napier Richard J. , Porter Tabitha J. , Feller Julian A. , Webster Kate E.
Published: October 2018

Background:

Although isolated posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (PCLR) has become a more frequently performed procedure, reports of functional outcomes and return-to-sport (RTS) rates to support its use are still limited.

Purpose:

To systematically review the literature to determine the rates of RTS and the functional outcomes of patients after isolated PCLR.

Study Design:

Systematic review: Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Two reviewers independently searched 5 databases for patient-based clinical studies with a minimum 2-year follow-up that analyzed functional outcome and RTS following isolated PCLR. Studies with multiligament knee reconstruction were excluded. Risk of bias was performed with a modified Downs and Black checklist. The primary outcomes were Tegner and Lysholm scores, rates of RTS, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective scores. Secondary outcomes were IKDC objective scores, instrumented knee laxity assessment, and Telos radiographic analysis. Where feasible, these data were pooled via a random effects meta-analysis model.

Results:

Of the 240 titles identified, 14 studies were included. The median time from injury to surgery was 10.6 months (range, 6 weeks–21 years). The pooled mean postoperative Tegner and Lysholm scores were 5.7 (95% CI, 5.4-6.0) and 87.8 (95% CI, 85.6-90.0), respectively, following isolated PCLR; the pooled effect size between pre- and postoperative values was 2.8 (95% CI, 1.6-4.0) and 3.7 (95% CI, 2.6-4.9), respectively. An RTS rate of 44% (95% CI, 23%-66%) was identified. IKDC subjective scores improved to a pooled mean of 73.5 (95% CI, 62.8-84.1), with an effect size of 3.0 (95% CI, 0.4-5.6). The proportion of patients with postoperative IKDC objective scores of grade A/B was 82%. The pooled postoperative KT-1000/KT-2000 side-to-side difference was 3.4 mm (95% CI, 2.5-4.3 mm), with an effect size of 2.8 (95% CI, 1.1-4.5). The pooled postoperative Telos side-to-side difference measurement was 3.5 mm (95% CI, 2.8-4.3 mm), with an effect size of 3.9 (95% CI, 3.3-4.5).

Conclusion:

The results of this review demonstrate that while isolated PCLR results in a significant improvement in functional outcome scores and improved knee laxity, there is a low rate of return to preinjury level of sport. The prolonged period from injury to surgery might reduce functional improvement and RTS following reconstruction. Therefore, comparison of the outcomes of isolated PCLR and nonoperative treatment is impracticable owing to the potential for selection bias.
Clinical Trial of Herbal Treatment Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin in Oral Herpes
Authors: Polansky Hanan , Javaherian Adrian , Itzkovitz Edan
Published: October 2018

Background.

Our previous articles showed that suppressive or preventive treatment with the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the number and duration of genital herpes outbreaks with no adverse effects. These studies also revealed that the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin is mostly superior to acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir drugs in genital herpes. This study tested the effect of Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin in oral herpes (also called cold sores and fever blisters).

Methods.

The framework of the study was a retrospective chart review. The study included 68 participants. The participants took 1 to 4 capsules per day over a period of 2 to 36 months. The study included 2 Food and Drug Administration–recommended controls: baseline and a no-treatment.

Results.

Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin was effective in 89.3% of participants. The treatment reduced the mean number of outbreaks per year from 6.0 and 3.6 in the control groups to 2.0 in the treatment group ( P < .0001 and P = .07, respectively). Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the mean duration of outbreaks from 9.8 and 5.8 days in the control groups to 3.2 days in the treatment group ( P < .0001 and P = .02, respectively). There were no reports of adverse experiences. Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin was compared to acyclovir and valacyclovir in 6 tests. In all tests, Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin showed higher efficacy. Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin also showed superior safety.

Conclusions.

This clinical study showed that suppressive or preventive treatment with the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin reduced the number and duration of outbreaks in oral herpes without any adverse effects. The study also showed that the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin had better clinical effects than acyclovir and valacyclovir, the leading drugs in the category. Based on these results, we recommend using the herbal Gene-Eden-VIR/Novirin as preventive treatment for oral herpes and, specifically, as an alternative to the acyclovir and valacyclovir drugs.
Venetoclax combined with decitabine or azacitidine in treatment-naive, elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: DiNardo Courtney D. , Pratz Keith , Pullarkat Vinod , Jonas Brian A. , Arellano Martha , Becker Pamela S. , Frankfurt Olga , Konopleva Marina , Wei Andrew H. , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Xu Tu , Hong Wan-Jen , Chyla Brenda , Potluri Jalaja , Pollyea Daniel A. , Letai Anthony
Published: October 2018

Older patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) respond poorly to standard induction therapy. B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) overexpression is implicated in survival of AML cells and treatment resistance. We report safety and efficacy of venetoclax with decitabine or azacitidine from a large, multicenter, phase 1b dose-escalation and expansion study. Patients (N = 145) were at least 65 years old with treatment-naive AML and were ineligible for intensive chemotherapy. During dose escalation, oral venetoclax was administered at 400, 800, or 1200 mg daily in combination with either decitabine (20 mg/m2, days 1-5, intravenously [IV]) or azacitidine (75 mg/m2, days 1-7, IV or subcutaneously). In the expansion, 400 or 800 mg venetoclax with either hypomethylating agent (HMA) was given. Median age was 74 years, with poor-risk cytogenetics in 49% of patients. Common adverse events (>30%) included nausea, diarrhea, constipation, febrile neutropenia, fatigue, hypokalemia, decreased appetite, and decreased white blood cell count. No tumor lysis syndrome was observed. With a median time on study of 8.9 months, 67% of patients (all doses) achieved complete remission (CR) + CR with incomplete count recovery (CRi), with a CR + CRi rate of 73% in the venetoclax 400 mg + HMA cohort. Patients with poor-risk cytogenetics and those at least 75 years old had CR + CRi rates of 60% and 65%, respectively. The median duration of CR + CRi (all patients) was 11.3 months, and median overall survival (mOS) was 17.5 months; mOS has not been reached for the 400-mg venetoclax cohort. The novel combination of venetoclax with decitabine or azacitidine was effective and well tolerated in elderly patients with AML (This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02203773).
Tunnel detection at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, USA — Part 2: 3D full-waveform inversion experiments
Authors: Smith James A. , Borisov Dmitry , Cudney Harley , Miller Richard D. , Modrak Ryan , Moran Mark , Peterie Shelby L. , Sloan Steven D. , Tromp Jeroen , Wang Yao
Published: October 2018

We have applied time-domain 3D elastic full-waveform inversion (FWI) to a known tunnel constructed 10 m below the surface with no distinguishing surface expressions. Multicomponent inversion experiments that use an initial model estimated from surface wave methods suggest that the vertical sources and the combination of vertical and longitudinal receivers result in the clearest image of the tunnel. We obtain an approximate 3D image of the tunnel using 24 vertical sources and 720 vertical and 720 longitudinal receivers. We find that increasing the number of vertical sources to 216 does not significantly improve the details of the tunnel. Further experimentation indicates that we can detect the tunnel using a reduced data set of 6–10 vertical sources and 216 vertical sensors. In addition, calculating the [Formula: see text] ratio helps remove artifacts from the inverted model and highlights the location of the tunnel. We compare the 3D inversion results with the 2D FWI results for the same tunnel that we previously evaluated. The variety of successful inversion experiments suggest that FWI is capable of imaging shallow tunnels in desert geologies.
A Novel Somatostatin-Dopamine Chimera (BIM23B065) Reduced GH Secretion in a First-in-Human Clinical Trial
Authors: de Boon Wadim M I , van Esdonk Michiel J , Stuurman Frederik E , Biermasz Nienke R , Pons Laurent , Paty Isabelle , Burggraaf Jacobus
Published: October 2018

Context

A somatostatin-dopamine chimera (BIM23B065) was under investigation to reduce GH secretion for the treatment of pituitary adenomas.

Objective

To determine pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability and to monitor hormonal changes after single and multiple subcutaneous BIM23B065 administrations.

Design

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design with five single and three 13-day multiple ascending-dose cohorts.

Patients

A total of 63 healthy male white volunteers were enrolled (47 active, 16 placebo).

Main Outcome Measures

Pharmacokinetics, GH, prolactin (PRL), IGF-1, GH after GHRH administration, and general clinical safety criteria.

Results

The maximum dosage of BIM23B065 administered in this study was 1.5 mg. BIM23B065 reduced the mean GH concentrations after 8 and 13 days of treatment. A decrease in GH release after GHRH administration indicated inhibition of the hypothalamic-pituitary-somatotropic axis. IGF-1 was not altered after single doses but showed a significant change from baseline after multiple dosing. PRL secretion was reduced in all subjects who were treated. Orthostatic hypotension and injection site reactions were commonly observed at high dosages. A 6-day uptitration period was included to successfully lower the cardiovascular effects in the multiple ascending dose part of the study.

Conclusions

Proof of pharmacology of BIM23B065 was shown by a reduction in GH, IGF-1, and PRL concentrations in healthy male volunteers, supporting activity of the somatostatin analog and dopamine agonist moieties. The safety and tolerability of the higher dosing regions was limited mainly by orthostatic hypotension.
Changes in Body Fat Distribution in Antiretroviral-Naive HIV-Positive Individuals Initiating Current ART Regimens
Authors: Tiraboschi Juan , Navarro-Alcaraz Antonio , Giralt Dolors , Gomez-Vaquero Carmen , Saumoy Maria , Imaz Arkaitz , Podzamczer Daniel
Published: October 2018

Objectives

To describe the changes in body fat distribution (BFD) occurring over 60 months in a group of antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naive individuals starting different antiretroviral regimens.

Methods

A prospective ongoing fat change assessment including clinical evaluation and dual X-ray absorptiometry scan is being conducted in all consecutive patients initiating ART from January 2008. Arm, leg, trunk, and total fat as well as fat mass ratio were determined.

Results

A total of 146 patients were included (80% male, 40% MSM). Mean age was 44 years, HIV-1 RNA was 4.98 log10 copies/mL, and CD4 count was 254 cells/μL. The most common initial antiretroviral combination included non-nucleoside reverse transcription inhibitor (NNRTI) drugs followed by protease inhibitor (PI) and integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-based regimens. At month 36, an increase was seen in the body mass index (BMI), total fat, trunk fat, and limb fat. The fat mass ratio (FMR) also showed a significant increase in both men and women (P = 0.001). In patients receiving NNRTI- or INSTI-based regimens (but not PIs), there was a marginal but statistically significant increase in the FMR (0.10 and 0.07, respectively; P = 0.01). Sixty-two subjects completed 60 months of follow-up. FMR showed a significant increase even in the PI group at this time point (P < 0.03).

Conclusions

We observed a significant increase in the fat and lean body mass in all compartments and treatment groups over 36 and 60 months. Clinically irrelevant differences were found in fat distribution regardless of the treatment group and baseline characteristics. The data suggest that current antiretroviral regimens have little impact on BFD during the first years of treatment.
Forelimb position affects facultative bipedal locomotion in lizards
Authors: Kinsey Chase T. , McBrayer Lance D.
Published: October 2018

Recent work indicates that bipedal posture in lizards is advantageous during obstacle negotiation (Parker and McBrayer, 2016). However, little is known about how bipedalism occurs beyond a lizard's acceleratory threshold. Furthermore, no study to date has examined the effects of forelimb position on the body center of mass in the context of bipedalism. This study quantified the frequency of bipedalism when sprinting with vs. without an obstacle at 0.8 meters from initiating a sprint. Forelimb positions were quantified during bipedal running at the start of a sprint and when crossing an obstacle. Two species with contrasting body forms (and thus different body center of mass; BCoM) were studied (Sceloporus woodi, Aspidoscelis sexlineata) to assess potential variation due to body plan and obstacle crossing behavior. No significant difference in frequency of bipedalism was observed in S. woodi with or without an obstacle. However, A. sexlineata primarily used a bipedal posture when sprinting. Forelimb positions were variable in S. woodi and stereotyped in A. sexlineata. Caudal extension of the forelimbs helped shift the BCoM posteriorly and transition to, or maintain, a bipedal posture in A. sexlineata, but not S. woodi. The posterior shift in BCoM, aided by more caudally placed forelimbs, helps raise the trunk from the ground, regardless of obstacle presence. The body plan, specifically the length of the trunk and tail, and forelimb position work together with acceleration to shift the BCoM posteriorly to transition to a bipedal posture. Thus, species exhibit morphological and behavioral adjustments to transition to and maintain facultative bipedalism while sprinting.
INTERVAL TRAINING FOR CARDIOMETABOLIC AND BRAIN HEALTH
Authors: Gibala Martin J. , Heisz Jennifer J. , Nelson Aimee J.
Published: October 2018

Apply It!

1. Engaging in interval exercise can boost fitness and improve your mood in a time-efficient manner.

2. Short exercise breaks like climbing the stairs can refocus attention and help maintain productivity in the workplace.

3. Combining interval exercises with motor skill training in a clinical setting can augment the recovery of function.
International Comparisons: ACSM’s Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends
Authors: Kercher Vanessa M.
Published: October 2018

Summary StatementPulled Text:

Through the translation and utilization of the ACSM fitness trend survey, both China and Spain were able to investigate similarities and differences as well as identify local fitness industry trends. We encourage Spain, China, and other countries to continue to study the ACSM fitness trends annually and look forward to learning about trends in years to come.

High-intensity interval training was identified as the #2 trend in United States and Spain, but not for China where it ranked #39.

Exercise programs focused on youth and childhood obesity were ranked highly as a trend in both Spain (#15) and China (#14) compared with the U.S. survey, which ranked this trend as #31.

Educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals seem to be an important trend as it was ranked in the top 10 for Spain (#1), United States (#6), and China (#9).

Body weight training ranked #5 for United States and #4 for both China and Spain, suggesting this trend to be strongly associated in the fitness sector in these countries.

Interestingly, walking and jogging were identified as trend #10 for China but were not found to be a trend in either of the other surveys.

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From this article, the reader should understand the following concepts:
UTILIZING BODY WEIGHT TRAINING WITH YOUR PERSONAL TRAINING CLIENTS
Authors: Langton Becky , King John
Published: October 2018

Summary Statement for Table of ContentsPulled Text Quote

Improving one's command of his or her own body can dramatically improve movement quality, quality of life, and performance and has become a foundation of training strategy for personal trainers worldwide. Bodyweight exercises allow clients to improve how they manipulate their own bodies through space in a way that is both important for health and difficult to replicate with other training methods that do not always accommodate a client's unique anthropometry (1). Bodyweight training can be used to increase program adherence and convenience, improve movement quality, add diversity, decrease costs of exercise, or even to simply increase client enjoyment and satisfaction. This article will cover the What, Why, and How of implementing and prescribing bodyweight training for your clients with a view to offering both the trainer and the client extra tools in their training toolboxes!

Bodyweight training helps teach the client to manipulate their own bodies in an organic and safe way. When we place our bodies on external resistance machines, it's difficult to assess how much of that movement “belongs” (initiated and stabilized) to the client and how much to the machine or equipment.

Trainers need a good repertoire of bodyweight movements that will both challenge and progress clients' fitness. This can allow a client to have unlimited access to resources to aid in improving their fitness thus lowering the barrier to movement.

Twenty years later, even with a fully outfitted gym, we still find it important to build trainees' fitness with bodyweight exercises and to teach our students, who themselves go on to become highly qualified fitness professions, to do the same.

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WORLDWIDE SURVEY OF FITNESS TRENDS FOR 2019
Authors: Thompson Walter R.
Published: October 2018

Table of Contents Summary:

The annual ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®
worldwide survey to determine industry trends by health fitness professionals is now in its 13th consecutive year. Strength training (the #5 trend in 2018) was dropped from this year’s survey because it was determined to be too generic. In previous surveys, educated, certified, and experienced fitness professionals that was a top performing trend (#1 in 2008–2013 and in the top 10 in every survey) also was dropped from the survey because it was too broad and lacked the necessary specificity. Employing certified fitness professionals was added as a potential new trend for 2019 and was rated #6. Wearable technology regained the #1 trend after dropping to #3 in 2018. Group training (more than five participants) was rated #2, which is the spot it held in 2018. Last year’s #1 trend, high-intensity interval training, dropped to #3 for 2019. Regaining spots in the top 20 fitness trends include mobile exercise devices (#13), worksite health promotion and workplace well-being programs (#15), outcome measurements (#16), and postrehabilitation classes (#20). Dropping out of the top 20 fitness trends include circuit weight training, sport-specific training, and core training. Four international experts independently commented on the results.

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From this article, the reader should understand the following concepts: