bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal Trends Over a Decade of Defibrillator Therapy for Primary Prevention in Community Practice
Authors: BOVEDA SERGE , NARAYANAN KUMAR , JACOB SOPHIE , PROVIDENCIA RUI , ALGALARRONDO VINCENT , BOUZEMAN ABDESLAM , BEGANTON FRANKIE , DEFAYE PASCAL , PERIER MARIE‐CÉCILE , SADOUL NICOLAS , PIOT OLIVIER , KLUG DIDIER , GRAS DANIEL , FAUCHIER LAURENT , BORDACHAR PIERRE , BABUTY DOMINIQUE , DEHARO JEAN‐CLAUDE , LECLERCQ CHRISTOPHE , MARIJON ELOI ,   on Behalf of the DAI‐PP Investigators
Published: March 2017

Temporal Trends Over a Decade of Defibrillator Therapy

Background

Technology and clinical practice surrounding the use of the primary prevention implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) are in a state of constant evolution. The purpose of the study was to test the hypothesis of significant temporal trends in characteristics and outcomes over a decade of ICD therapy.

Methods

Between 2002 and 2012, 5,539 consecutive patients (age 62.5 ± 11 years, 84.9% male), with ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy, implanted with a primary prevention ICD from 12 centers in France were included. Information on characteristics and outcomes (including causes of death) were evaluated over a median follow‐up of 994 days (466‐1,667).

Results

In addition to a shift in the type of devices implanted with a significant increase in cardiac resynchronization therapy‐defibrillator (CRT‐D) over time (43.6 to 60.4%, P = 0.0001), an increase in mean age (from 61.5 ± 11.6 to 63.2 ± 10.9 years, P = 0.0016), proportion of nonischemic cardiomyopathy (31.0 to 44.7%, P <0.0001) and women recipients (11.4 to 15.8%, P = 0.004) was observed. A total of 1,181 patients (22.3%) received ≥1 appropriate therapy, inappropriate therapies occurred in 355 patients (6.7%) and 826 patients (15.2%) died, mainly from cardiovascular causes (49.3%). Annual mortality incidence (5.4% to 4.3%, P = 0.05), as well as incidence of appropriate therapy (10.4% to 7.1%, P = 0.0004), significantly decreased over the decade. By contrast, incidence of ICD‐related late (>30 days after implant) complications significantly increased (4.6 to 7.6%, P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrate significant changes in patterns of use and outcomes in primary prevention ICD over the last decade with reductions in mortality and appropriate therapies, counterbalanced by an increase in complications.
Lower prevalence of chronic itch in haemodialysis patients on loop diuretics: results from GEHIS (German Epidemiological Hemodialysis Itch Study)
Authors: Hayani K. , Kunzmann K. , Mettang T. , Weiss M. , Tschulena U. , Weisshaar E.
Published: March 2017

Background

Chronic itch (CI) is a very tormenting symptom in haemodialysis (HD) patients. GEHIS (German Epidemiological Hemodialysis Itch Study) is a representative cross‐sectional study showing that current chronic itch (CI) affects 25.2% of haemodialysis (HD) patients.

Objective

We investigated drug intake and possible associations between CI and medications of HD patients.

Methods

Eight hundred and sixty HD patients from a randomly selected cluster sample of 25 dialysis units (GEHIS) in Germany were investigated. Statistical analyses were performed using R (version 3.3.0) for Windows. Logistic regression was used to identify influential covariates for prevalence of chronic itch and intensity of itch.

Results

Taking loop diuretics (furosemide, torasemide) was significantly negatively associated with the occurrence of CI in HD patients meaning that those who had received any type of loop diuretics were significantly less likely to suffer from less CI compared to those who had not taken them. There were no associations of CI with other medications. No correlation was detected between the intensity of itch and the intake of loop diuretics or any other medication.

Conclusion

Loop diuretics may have an impact on the development of CI in HD patients. As it is most likely that a multifactorial origin may explain CI in HD, future research should also focus on the role of loop diuretics in CI, both on a clinical as well as on a molecular level.
A fluorescence‐based assay for in vitro screening of Saprolegnia inhibitors
Authors: Ali S E , Skaar I
Published: March 2017

The incidence of fish pathogenic oomycetes, Saprolegnia, has increased significantly in aquaculture since the ban of malachite green. For the efficient characterization of anti‐Saprolegnia therapeutics, simple accurate methods are required. However, the current screening methods are limited by time, and none of them are confirming the viability of treated spores or hyphae. In this study, a modified fluorescence‐based assay for the in vitro screening of Saprolegnia inhibitors has been developed. This method involves the use of FUN‐1 viability dye combined with calcofluor white M2R, and is based on the formation of orange‐red cylindrical intravacuolar structures (CIVS) in metabolically active spores, hyphae and biofilms. Heat‐killed and bronopol‐treated Saprolegnia spores, hyphae and biofilms exhibited diffuse bright green fluorescence which confirms complete loss of viability. For boric acid‐treated spores, no germination was observed. However, tiny CIVS were observed in 50% of treated spores which indicated reduction in their viability. Our results proved that FUN‐1 dye is an efficient tool to distinguish between live and dead Saprolegnia spores, hyphae and biofilms and to monitor the change in Saprolegnia viability during qualitative evaluation of potential anti‐Saprolegnia compounds.
Cascading Resilience: Leverage Points in Promoting Parent and Child Well‐Being
Authors: Doty Jennifer L. , Davis Laurel , Arditti Joyce A.
Published: March 2017

While negative cascades have been well studied, little has been written on the promotion of upward spirals. We propose a conceptual model that situates parenting interventions as a leverage point in promoting positive cascades. We integrate broaden‐and‐build theory and social capital theory into the model to explain micro‐ and macro‐level patterns of change in longitudinal prevention studies, acknowledging that when socioeconomic resources are scarce, investment in parenting may be challenging. Parenting prevention programs provide evidence of improvements in effective parenting behaviors, promote increased confidence and a belief in parenting abilities, and over time may activate positive cascades that affect other domains in parents' lives, such as health and peer support. Resulting positive emotions are hypothesized to broaden coping and build long‐term resources that promote resilience. Social resources may then spill over to benefit individual, family, and community systems. Research methods for testing developmental cascades and practical applications are also considered.
Toward Estimating Displaced Primary Production from Recycling: A Case Study of U.S. Aluminum
Authors: Zink Trevor , Geyer Roland , Startz Richard
Published: March 2017

Recycling materials from end‐of‐life products has the potential to create environmental benefit by displacing more harmful primary material production. However, displacement is governed by market forces and is not guaranteed; if full displacement does not occur, the environmental benefits of recycling are reduced or eliminated. Therefore, quantifying the true “displacement rate” caused by recycling is essential to accurately assess environmental benefits and make optimal environmental management decisions. Our 2016 article proposed a market‐based methodology to estimate actual displacement rates following an increase in recycling or reuse. The current article demonstrates the operation, utility, and challenges of that methodology in the context of the U.S. aluminum industry. Sensitivity analyses reveal that displacement estimates are sensitive to uncertainty in price elasticities. Results suggest that 100% displacement is unlikely immediately following a sustained supply‐driven increase in aluminum recycling and even less likely in the long term. However, zero and even negative displacement are possible. A variant of the model revealed that demand‐driven increases in recycling are less likely than supply‐driven changes to result in full displacement. However, model limitations exist and challenges arose in the estimation process, the effects of which are discussed. We suggest implications for environmental assessment, present lessons learned from applying the estimation methodology, and highlight the need for further research in the market dynamics of recycling.
The Influence of Social Capital on Nurse‐Perceived Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation in South Korea
Authors: Shin Ji In , Lee Eunjoo
Published: March 2017

Purpose

To examine the relationship between evidence‐based practice (EBP) adoption and social capital in nurses and to determine how social capital affected EBP adoption in South Korea.

Design

A cross‐sectional, correlational design was used.

Methods

In total, 432 registered nurses from two university‐affiliated teaching hospitals in South Korea completed the questionnaire, which included demographic items, the Developing Evidence‐Based Practice Questionnaire, and the Social Capital Outcomes for Nurses scale. Data were analyzed using hierarchical regression to identify the predictors of EBP adoption.

Findings

Nurses with higher social capital scores reported fewer perceived barriers to finding and reviewing evidence, and changing practice. Higher social capital scores were associated with higher levels of perceived facilitators of EBP adoption and skills appraisal in finding and reviewing evidence. Social capital was a significant predictor of EBP adoption.

Conclusions

Nurses with greater opportunities to exchange and communicate their ideas freely are more likely to accept new evidence through diverse channels and trust‐based relationships between nurses, which allows healthcare organizations to promote innovations such as EBP adoption. Therefore, social capital in nurses could serve as a driving force for EBP adoption and should provide a healthy foundation for changes in patient care practices.

Clinical Relevance

Nurses with higher social capital are tending to adopt EBP willingly. High trust enables nurses to facilitate and support change in practice. Therefore, to improve EBP adoption in patient care, it needs to be monitored that relationships between nurses are carefully structured and that they foster mutual interaction.
Adaptation and validation of the Evidence‐Based Practice Belief and Implementation scales for French‐speaking Swiss nurses and allied healthcare providers
Authors: Verloo Henk , Desmedt Mario , Morin Diane
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To evaluate two psychometric properties of the French versions of the Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scales, namely their internal consistency and construct validity.

Background

The Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scales developed by Melnyk et al. are recognised as valid, reliable instruments in English. However, no psychometric validation for their French versions existed.

Design

Secondary analysis of a cross sectional survey.

Methods

Source data came from a cross‐sectional descriptive study sample of 382 nurses and other allied healthcare providers. Cronbach's alpha was used to evaluate internal consistency, and principal axis factor analysis and varimax rotation were computed to determine construct validity.

Results

The French Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scales showed excellent reliability, with Cronbach's alphas close to the scores established by Melnyk et al.'s original versions. Principal axis factor analysis showed medium‐to‐high factor loading scores without obtaining collinearity. Principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation of the 16‐item Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs scale resulted in a four‐factor loading structure. Principal axis factor analysis with varimax rotation of the 17‐item Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scale revealed a two‐factor loading structure. Further research should attempt to understand why the French Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scale showed a two‐factor loading structure but Melnyk et al.'s original has only one.

Conclusion

The French versions of the Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scales can both be considered valid and reliable instruments for measuring Evidence‐Based Practice beliefs and implementation.

Relevance to clinical practice

The results suggest that the French Evidence‐Based Practice Beliefs and Evidence‐Based Practice Implementation scales are valid and reliable and can therefore be used to evaluate the effectiveness of organisational strategies aimed at increasing professionals’ confidence in Evidence‐Based Practice, supporting its use and implementation.
Economic impact of routine opt‐out antenatal human immune deficiency virus screening: A systematic review
Authors: Ibekwe Everistus , Haigh Carol , Duncan Fiona , Fatoye Francis
Published: March 2017

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the economic impact of routine testing of human immune deficiency virus in antenatal settings.

Background

Many children are being infected with human immune deficiency virus through mother‐to‐child transmission of the virus. Most of these infections are preventable if the mothers’ human immune deficiency virus status is identified in a timely manner and appropriate interventions put in place. Routine human immune deficiency virus testing is widely acclaimed as a strategy for universal access to human immune deficiency virus testing and is being adopted by developed and developing poor income countries without recourse to the economic impact.

Design

A systematic review of published articles.

Methods

Extensive electronic searches for relevant journal articles published from 1998–2015 when countries began to implement routine antenatal HIV testing on their own were conducted in the following databases: Science Direct, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, JSTOR, CINAHL and PubMed with search terms as listed in Box 2. Manual searches were also performed to complement the electronic identification of high‐quality materials. There were no geographical restrictions, but language was limited to English.

Results

Fifty‐five articles were retrieved; however, ten were eligible and included in the review. The findings showed that many programmes involving routine human immune deficiency virus testing for pregnant women compared to the alternatives were cost‐effective and cost saving. Data from the reviewed studies showed cost savings between $5,761.20–$3.69 million per case of previously undiagnosed maternal human immune deficiency virus‐positive infection prevented. Overall, cost‐effectiveness was strongly associated with the prevalence rate of human immune deficiency virus in the various settings.

Conclusions

Routine human immune deficiency virus testing is both cost‐effective and cost saving compared to the alternatives. However, there are wide variations in the methodological approaches to the studies. Adopting standard reporting format would facilitate comparison between studies and generalisability of economic evaluations.

Relevance to clinical practice

(i) Healthcare decision‐makers should understand that routine antenatal screening for human immune deficiency virus is both cost‐effective and cost saving. (ii) Addressing late identification of prenatal human immune deficiency virus is crucial to reducing mother‐to‐child transmission at minimal healthcare spending.
Using group model building to develop a culturally grounded model of breastfeeding for low‐income African American women in the USA
Authors: Reno Rebecca
Published: March 2017

Aims and Objectives

To identify barriers and supporting factors for breastfeeding, and the dynamic interactions between them, as identified by low‐income African American women and lactation peer helpers.

Background

Stark breastfeeding disparities exist between African American mothers and their White counterparts in the USA. This pattern is often replicated across the globe, with marginalised populations demonstrating decreased breastfeeding rates. While breastfeeding research focused on sociocultural factors for different populations has been conducted, a more dynamic model of the factors impacting breastfeeding may help identify effective leverage points for change.

Design

Group model building was used as a grounded theoretical approach, to build and validate a model representing factors impacting breastfeeding and the relationships between them.

Methods

Low‐income African American women (n = 21) and lactation peer helpers (n = 3) were engaged in model building sessions to identify factors impacting breastfeeding. A two‐cycle process was used for analysis, in vivo and axial coding. The final factors and model were validated with a subgroup of participants.

Results

The participants generated 82 factors that make breastfeeding easier, and 86 factors that make breastfeeding more challenging. These were grouped into 10 and 14 themes, respectively. A final model was constructed identifying three domains impacting breastfeeding: a mother's return to work or school, her knowledge, support and persistence, and the social acceptance of breastfeeding.

Conclusions

This study documented the sociocultural context within which low‐income African American women are situated by identifying factors impacting breastfeeding, and the dynamic interactions between them. The model also provided various leverage points from which breastfeeding women can be supported.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Postpartum nurses are critical in supporting breastfeeding practices. To be most effective, they must be aware of the factors impacting breastfeeding, some of which may be unique to women based on their culture.
Rethinking FQoL: The Dynamic Interplay Between Individual and Family Quality of Life
Authors: Boelsma Femke , Caubo‐Damen Irene , Schippers Alice , Dane Menco , Abma Tineke A.
Published: March 2017

Family quality of life (FQoL) is an emerging concept to understand and improve the well‐being and quality of life (QoL) of families. While there has been a lot of effort to conceptualize life domains of families and measurement tools are devised, few studies concentrate on an in‐depth understanding of FQoL. The specific aim of the current study is to understand the relation between individual QoL and FQoL, by studying families with a child/children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (ID/DD) in the Netherlands. This can contribute to a stable foundation of the concept of FQoL. Methods: An explorative case study design was used, in which the parents, sibling, and child with ID voiced their thoughts on their FQoL. The presented case has been analysed through thematic and narrative analysis. A father and a mother with a child with an intellectual disability have joined the research team as co‐researchers. The relational dynamics found within the family illuminated an interactive pattern in which the son with ID acted as an Emperor, creating a Golden Cage for other family members and Umbilical Ties among them. The family portrait shows that FQoL is a dynamic and relational concept. By making strict distinctions between individual QoL and FQoL, the dynamics between family members and the way they work alone and/or together to ensure the well‐being of the family and its members can easily be overlooked. In addition to the common‐sense notion that FQoL and QoL support each other, conflicts and tensions can occur.
Media Scholarship and 18th‐Century Studies
Authors: Ellison Katherine
Published: March 2017

Acknowledging the foundational work of Elizabeth L. Eisenstein in 18th‐century media studies, this article summarizes media scholarship in 18th‐century studies before and after 1979, with emphasis in the 1990s through the present. Since the decade before the new millennium and inspired, in part, by the late 20th‐century concept of the “information age,” scholars of 18th‐century history have redefined both the terms and the frameworks of media studies to articulate the cultural, social, economic, political, and artistic implications of information theory, print culture, mediation, mediality, and media archaeology. The essay considers the historical centrality of print in media studies and locates the more recent scholarly shift toward multimodal representations of mediation and data analytics. The essay argues for the potential of media scholarship in historical study to bridge student interests in social networking with the mediations of the past and to encourage open access scholarship in digital forms.
Sham acupuncture is as efficacious as true acupuncture for the treatment of IBS: A randomized placebo controlled trial
Authors: Lowe C. , Aiken A. , Day A. G. , Depew W. , Vanner S. J.
Published: March 2017

Background

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients increasingly seek out acupuncture therapy to alleviate symptoms, but it is unclear whether the benefit is due to a treatment‐specific effect or a placebo response. This study examined whether true acupuncture is superior to sham acupuncture in relieving IBS symptoms and whether benefits were linked to purported acupuncture mechanisms.

Methods

A double blind sham controlled acupuncture study was conducted with Rome I IBS patients receiving twice weekly true acupuncture for 4 weeks (n=43) or sham acupuncture (n=36). Patients returned at 12 weeks for a follow‐up review. The primary endpoint of success as determined by whether patients met or exceeded their established goal for percentage symptom improvement. Questionnaires were completed for symptom severity scores, SF‐36 and IBS‐36 QOL tools, McGill pain score, and Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. A subset of patients underwent barostat measurements of rectal sensation at baseline and 4 weeks.

Key Results

A total of 53% in the true acupuncture group met their criteria for a successful treatment intervention, but this did not differ significantly from the sham group (42%). IBS symptom scores similarly improved in both groups. Scores also improved in the IBS‐36, SF‐36, and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index, but did not differ between groups. Rectal sensory thresholds were increased in both groups following treatment and pain scores decreased; however, these changes were similar between groups.

Conclusions & Inferences

The lack of differences in symptom outcomes between sham and true treatment acupuncture suggests that acupuncture does not have a specific treatment effect in IBS.
Cultural Capital: A Concept Analysis
Authors: Ohashi Yuki , Taguchi Atsuko , Omori Junko , Ozaki Akiko
Published: March 2017

Objective

Harnessing community assets may help public health nurses address health inequalities. Cultural factor is one such asset, which is assumed to be capital in a community. Cultural capital is a key concept for understanding the causes of public health issues. This paper provided an in‐depth analysis of “cultural capital” as a concept.

Design and Sample

Rodgers' evolutionary methodology was used for concept analysis. Forty‐two studies published in English between 1998 and 2015 were retrieved from MEDLINE by searching for “cultural capital” in the title field.

Results

Antecedents of cultural capital included “educational environment,” “belongingness in one's social group,” “existing health/social inequalities,” and “daily behavior.” Cultural capital's identified attributes were “social cultivation,” “reproductive rubric,” “practical knowledge,” and “autogenic ability.” Cultural capital's consequences were “improving productivity,” “reducing health/social inequality,” and “enhancing well‐being.”

Conclusions

Cultural capital is defined as capital characterized by cultivation, rubric, knowledge, and ability. These aspects of cultural capital are typically autogenic, and accumulate and reproduce through lifelong community membership. Cultural capital reduces inequality and ultimately enhances the well‐being of individuals and the community through bonding, bridging, and linking economic and social capital.
Using Advance Purchase Discount Contracts under Uncertain Information Acquisition Cost
Authors: Tang Wenjie , Girotra Karan
Published: March 2017

We study the use of advance purchase discount (APD) contracts to incentivize a retailer to share demand information with a dual‐sourcing wholesaler. We analyze such contracts in terms of two practical considerations that are relevant in this context but have been overlooked by previous work that has largely studied the direct offer of APD to customers: the retailer's information acquisition cost and the wholesaler's limited information about that cost. The wholesaler's limited knowledge of the retailer's cost leads to a departure—from the normal “full observability” APD design—that is asymmetric and depends on the extent of unobservability; if the uncertainty is small (resp., large) then the optimal discount is higher (resp., lower) than in the case of full observability. An APD contract that ignores the retailer's cost or the wholesaler's uncertainty about it will yield fewer benefits for the wholesaler and the supply chain. We offer a numerical illustration (calibrated on real industry data) establishing that for a representative product, an APD contract can improve the wholesaler's profit margin by as much as 3.5%.
DID I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION? ATTRIBUTES THAT INFLUENCE PEOPLE'S CHOICE OF CITY OF RESIDENCE
Authors: Shtudiner Ze'ev , Zwilling Moti , Kantor Jeffrey
Published: March 2017

This paper aims to measure personal preferences regarding various attributes that affect choice of city of residence in the long term. A conjoint questionnaire was formulated in order to measure consumer perception of the importance of various attributes, such as quality of education, distance from work, average property price, and distance from family. Each attribute is composed of two categorical levels: high and low. The findings reveal which of the attributes is the most effective based on the decision‐making process and shed light on which combination of attributes is most preferred by respondents. The paper addresses a new view of personal definition to buy or rent real estate when selection of the “proper“ real estate relative to one's profile is taken into account. This view is of value to a variety of real estate professionals engaged in suggesting and evaluating value to consumers.
Full‐length sequences of 4 HLA‐B*35 alleles, B*35:02:01:01, B*35:03:01:01, B*35:05:01:01 and B*35:08:01:01, confirmed by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Li Z. , Zou H.‐Y.
Published: March 2017

Full‐length sequences of 4 alleles of HLA‐B*35 gene family, confirmed by cloning and sequencing.
Full‐length sequences of 4 HLA‐B*15 alleles, B*15:03:01:01, B*15:13:01, B*15:18:01:01 and B*15:25:01, confirmed by cloning and sequencing
Authors: Li Z. , Zou H.‐Y.
Published: March 2017

We report the full‐length sequences of 4 alleles of the HLA‐B*15 gene family.
In vitro susceptibility testing of Malassezia pachydermatis to gentamicin
Authors: Silva Freddy A. , Ferrer Otilia , Déniz Soraya , Rosario Inmaculada , Conde‐Felipe Magnolia , Díaz Esther L. , Acosta‐Hernández Begoña
Published: March 2017

Background

Two studies have observed that growth media containing gentamicin can inhibit the growth of the yeast organism Malassezia pachydermatis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of this bactericidal antibiotic for this organism has not been previously determined.

Objective

To evaluate the susceptibility of M. pachydermatis isolates to gentamicin.

Methods

The MIC of gentamicin was determined using a modified version of the M27‐A3 microdilution method following the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. A modified Christensen's urea broth was used to enhance the growth of the M. pachydermatis isolates. Visual and spectrophotometric end‐point readings were performed to detect the presence or absence of yeast growth.

Results

The MIC50 and MIC90 of gentamicin were 8.12 μg/mL and 32.5 μg/mL, respectively; M. pachydermatis strains were classified as susceptible (S), intermediate (I) and resistant (R). The susceptibility of these isolates to gentamicin in vitro, by visual and spectrophotometric end‐point reading, was: S, 54–56%; I, 40–41%; and R, 3–6%.

Conclusion

Prospective MICs for M. pachydermatis have been established for gentamicin.
Use of oral fluralaner for the treatment of Psoroptes cuniculi in 15 naturally infested rabbits
Authors: Sheinberg Galia , Romero Camilo , Heredia Rafael , Capulin Miguel , Yarto Enrique , Carpio Juan
Published: March 2017

Background

Psoroptes cuniculi, a nonburrowing ear mite, is a common ectoparasite of rabbits. Constant irritation of the auditory canal by the presence of this mite can lead to otitis externa or otoacariasis.

Objective

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of fluralaner on rabbits naturally infested with P. cuniculi and exhibiting clinical signs.

Animals

Fifteen female New Zealand domestic rabbits with otitis due to naturally occurring infestation with P. cuniculi.

Methods

The external ears and ear canals of each individual were examined; samples of otic exudate were extracted with cotton swabs and examined microscopically for identification of the ectoparasite. Each animal was treated with a single 25 mg/kg oral dose of fluralaner. The amount of otic exudate/cerumen was assessed and samples were obtained from the ears to evaluate for presence or absence of mites at 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 40 and 90 days after receiving treatment.

Results

Post‐treatment, the amount of otic exudate decreased rapidly in all animals; by Day 12 and until the end of the study all rabbits were judged to have low amount of exudate with normally visible canals. The percentage of ears positive for P. cuniculi decreased to 13.3% of ears sampled by Day 4, and by Day 12 all rabbits were negative for the parasite.

Conclusion

Administration of a single oral dose of fluralaner was effective for the treatment of naturally occurring P. cuniculi infestation in rabbits during a 90 day period.
Reliability and Component Importance in Networks Subject to Spatially
Distributed Hazards Followed by Cascading Failures
Authors: Scherb Anke , Garrè Luca , Straub Daniel
Published: March 2017

We investigate reliability and component importance in spatially distributed infrastructure networks subject to hazards characterized by large-scale spatial dependencies. In particular, we consider a selected IEEE benchmark power transmission system. A generic hazard model is formulated through a random field with continuously scalable spatial autocorrelation to study extrinsic common-cause-failure events such as storms or earthquakes. Network performance is described by a topological model, which accounts for cascading failures due to load redistribution after initial triggering events. Network reliability is then quantified in terms of the decrease in network efficiency and number of lost lines. Selected importance measures are calculated to rank single components according to their influence on the overall system reliability. This enables the identification of network components that have the strongest effect on system reliability. We thereby propose to distinguish component importance related to initial (triggering) failures and component importance related to cascading failures. Numerical investigations are performed for varying correlation lengths of the random field to represent different hazard characteristics. Results indicate that the spatial correlation has a discernible influence on the system reliability and component importance measures, while the component rankings are only mildly affected by the spatial correlation. We also find that the proposed component importance measures provide an efficient basis for planning network improvements.
Treatment Utilizing a Muscle Energy Technique and the MyoKinesthetic System on Patients With a Diagnosed Disc Injury
Authors: Hansen-Honeycutt Jena A. , Nasypany Alan M. , Baker Russell T.
Published: March 2017

Two physically active patients presented with low back pain (LBP) and were previously diagnosed with a herniated disc. A unique treatment combination of a muscle energy technique (MET) and MyoKinesthetic (MYK) treatments were used to decrease pain and improve function. The treatment combination displayed clinically significant short-term improvements in four treatments or less and both patients reported no recurrence of pain at their 1-year follow-up. It is questionable if the presence of an anatomical abnormality, such as a herniated disc, is truly the source or unrelated to those experiencing LBP; utilizing a MET and MYK treatment may be beneficial for other patients reporting similar symptoms.
Frequency of Chronic Gastrointestinal Distress in Runners: Validity and Reliability of a Retrospective Questionnaire
Authors: Wilson Patrick B.
Published: March 2017

Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms may affect up to 90% of competitors during endurance races. Studies have typically assessed GI symptoms retrospectively or only over an acute timeframe, and information on the validity and reliability of the questionnaires employed is lacking. This investigation aimed to estimate the frequency of GI distress experienced by runners over 30 days and to establish the validity and reliability of a retrospective GI symptom questionnaire. Runners (70 men, 75 women) recorded GI symptoms with a prospective journal for 30 days. Retrospective GI symptom data were then collected after the 30-day period on two occasions within one week. GI symptoms were rated on a 0–10 scale. Descriptive statistics for GI symptoms are reported as medians (interquartile ranges) because of nonnormal distributions. Men and women experienced at least one GI symptom on 84.0% (59.8–95.1%) and 78.3% (50.0–95.2%) of runs, respectively. Moderate-to-severe GI symptoms (score of ≥5) were experienced on 13.8% (6.7–37.3%) and 21.7% (5.3–41.2%) of runs for men and women. Spearman’s rho correlations between journal ratings and retrospective questionnaire ratings ranged from 0.47 to 0.82 (all p < .001), although they were highest when journal ratings were quantified as mean 30-day values (all rho ≥ 0.59). Reliability of the retrospective questionnaire ratings was high (rho = 0.78–0.92; p < .001). In comparison with tracking GI symptoms with a daily journal, retrospective questionnaires seem to offer a convenient and reasonably valid and reliable method of quantifying GI symptoms over 30 days.
Wingate Test as a Strong Predictor of 1500-m Performance in Elite Speed Skaters
Authors: Hofman Nico , Orie Jac , Hoozemans Marco J.M. , Foster Carl , de Koning Jos J.
Published: March 2017

Wingate test scores are strongly associated with anaerobic capacity in athletes involved in speed-endurance sports. In speed skating Wingate results are known to predict performance cross-sectionally but have not been investigated relative to their ability to predict performance longitudinally. Purpose: To investigate whether Wingate tests performed during summer training are predictive of 1500-m speed-skating performance the subsequent winter in elite speed skaters. Methods: Wingate test results from the summer training periods and 1500-m performances during the subsequent winter were analyzed over a 3-y period in 5 female and 8 male elite (Olympic, World Championship, and World Cup medalists) speed skaters. Regression analyses using generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to estimate the relationship between Wingate test variables and 1500-m speed-skating performance. Wingate peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) were used to predict 1500-m time and 400-m lap times. Results: Improvements of 1 W/kg on PP and MP in women predict improvements of −0.75 s and −2.05 s, respectively, on 1500-m time (World Record 110.85 s). In men, improvements in PP and MP were associated with performance improvements of −0.92 s and −2.32 s on 1500-m time per 1 W/kg (World Record 101.04 s). Conclusion: Wingate test results achieved during the summer training period are a good predictor of improvements in 1500-m speed-skating performance during the subsequent winter. For the smallest worthwhile improvement in 1500-m performance, a gain in PP and MP of 2.1% and 1.4% (0.38 and 0.14 W/kg) for females and 1.2% and 0.9% (0.29 and 0.12 W/kg) for males is needed.
Monitoring Elite Soccer Players’ External Loads Using Real-Time Data
Authors: Barrett Steve
Published: March 2017

Purpose: To assess the validity of measuring locomotor activities and PlayerLoad using real-time (RT) data collection during soccer training. Methods: Twenty-nine English soccer players participated. Each player wore the same MEMS device (Micromechanical Electrical Systems; S5, Optimeye; CatapultSports, Melbourne, Australia) during 21 training sessions (N = 331 data sets) in the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. An RT receiver (TRX; Catapultsports, Melbourne, Australia) was used to collect the locomotor activities and PlayerLoad data in RT and compared with the postevent downloaded (PED) data. PlayerLoad and locomotor activities (total distance covered; total high-speed running distance covered, >5.5#x00A0;m/s; total sprinting distance covered, >7 m/s; maximum velocity) were analyzed. Results: Correlations were near perfect for all variables analyzed (r = .98–1.00), with a varied level of noise between RT and PED also (0.3–9.7% coefficient of variation). Conclusions: Locomotor activities and PlayerLoad can use both RT and PED concurrently to quantify a player’s physical output during a training session. Caution should be taken with higher-velocity-based locomotor activities during RT compared to PED.
Development of 1500-m Pacing Behavior in Junior Speed Skaters: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Wiersma Rikstje , Stoter Inge K. , Visscher Chris , Hettinga Florentina J. , Elferink-Gemser Marije T.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To provide insight on the development of pacing behavior in junior speed skaters and analyze possible differences between elite, subelite, and nonelite juniors.

Methods:

Season-best times (SBTs) in the 1500-m and corresponding pacing behavior were obtained longitudinally for 104 Dutch male speed skaters at age 13–14 (U15), 15–16 (U17), and 17–18 (U19) y. Based on their U19 SBT, skaters were divided into elite (n = 17), subelite (n = 64), and nonelite (n = 23) groups. Pacing behavior was analyzed using the 0- to 300-m, 300- to 700-m, 700- to 1100-m, and 1100- to 1500-m times, expressed as a percentage of final time. Mixed analyses of variance were used for statistical analyses.

Results:

With age, pacing behavior generally developed toward a slower 0- to 300-m and 1100- to 1500-m and a faster midsection relative to final time. While being faster on all sections, the elite were relatively slower on 0- to 300-m (22.1% ± 0.27%) than the subelite and nonelite (21.5% ± 0.44%) (P < .01) but relatively faster on 300- to 700-m (24.6% ± 0.30%) than the nonelite (24.9% ± 0.58%) (P = .002). On 700- to 1100-m, the elite and subelite (26.2% ± 0.25%) were relatively faster than the nonelite (26.5% ± 0.41%) (P = .008). Differences in the development of pacing behavior were found from U17 to U19, with relative 700- to 1100-m times decreasing for the elite and subelite (26.2% ± 0.31% to 26.1% ± 0.27%) but increasing for the nonelite (26.3% ± 0.29% to 26.5% ± 0.41%) (P = .014).

Conclusions:

Maintaining high speed into 700 to 1100 m, accompanied by a relatively slower start, appears crucial for high performance in 1500-m speed skating. Generally, juniors develop toward this profile, with a more pronounced development toward a relatively faster 700- to 1100-m from U17 to U19 for elite junior speed skaters. The results of the current study indicate the relevance of pacing behavior for talent development.
Analysis of Scoring of Maneuvers Performed in Elite Men’s Professional Surfing Competitions
Authors: Forsyth James R. , de la Harpe Ryan , Riddiford-Harland Diane L. , Whitting John W. , Steele Julie R.
Published: March 2017

Purpose:

To investigate the influence of turns, tube rides, and aerial maneuvers on the scores awarded in elite men’s professional surfing competitions. The successful completion rate and scores associated with different aerial variations were also investigated.

Methods:

Video recordings from all 11 events of the 2015 World Surf League men’s world championship tour were viewed to classify maneuvers performed by the competitors on each wave as turns, tube rides, and aerials. A 2-way ANOVA was used to determine any main effect or interaction of maneuver type or event location on the wave scores. A 1-way ANOVA was used to determine any main effect of aerial type on successful completion rate.

Results:

Aerial maneuvers were scored significantly higher than tube rides and turns. A significant main effect existed for maneuver and completion rate. Aerial maneuvers had the lowest completion rate, 45.4%. During the finals series (quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals heats) aerial-maneuver completion rate was higher, 55.4%. The frontside air reverse was the most commonly performed maneuver and received an average score of 6.77 out of 10.

Conclusion:

Professional surfers can optimize their potential single-wave scores during competition by successfully completing aerial maneuvers. However, aerial maneuvers continue to be a high-risk maneuver with a significantly lower completion rate. Our findings suggest that surfers should aim to improve their aerial-maneuver completion rate via surf practice or land-based training drills.
The Influence of Playing Experience and Position on Injury Risk in NCAA Division I College Football Players
Authors: McCunn Robert , Fullagar Hugh H.K. , Williams Sean , Halseth Travis J. , Sampson John A. , Murray Andrew
Published: March 2017

Purpose: American football is widely played by college student-athletes throughout the United States; however, the associated injury risk is greater than in other team sports. Numerous factors likely contribute to this risk, yet research identifying these risk factors is limited. The present study sought to explore the relationship between playing experience and position on injury risk in NCAA Division I college football players. Methods: Seventy-six male college student-athletes in the football program of an American NCAA Division I university participated. Injuries were recorded over 2 consecutive seasons. Players were characterized based on college year (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) and playing position. The effect of playing experience and position on injury incidence rates was analyzed using a generalized linear mixed-effects model, with a Poisson distribution, log-linear link function, and offset for hours of training exposure or number of in-game plays (for training and game injuries, respectively). Results: The overall rates of non-time-loss and time-loss game-related injuries were 2.1 (90% CI: 1.8–2.5) and 0.6 (90% CI: 0.4–0.8) per 1000 plays, respectively. The overall rates of non-time-loss and time-loss training-related injuries were 26.0 (90% CI: 22.6–29.9) and 7.1 (90% CI: 5.9–8.5) per 1000 h, respectively. During training, seniors and running backs displayed the greatest risk. During games, sophomores, juniors, and wide receivers were at greatest risk. Conclusions: Being aware of the elevated injury risk experienced by certain player groups may help coaches make considered decisions related to training design and player selection.
In-Vitro Quantification of Medial Collateral Ligament Tension in the Elbow
Authors: Ferreira Louis M. , King Graham J.W. , Johnson James A.
Published: March 2017

The anterior bundle of the medial collateral ligament (AMCL) of the elbow is commonly injured in patients with elbow dislocations and in throwing athletes. Thisin-vitrostudy quantified tension in the native AMCL throughout elbow flexion for different arm positions. We conducted passive and simulated active elbow flexion in seven fresh-frozen cadaveric upper extremities using an established motion simulator. Motions were performed in the valgus and vertical positions from 20–120° while measuring AMCL tension using a custom transducer. Average AMCL tension was higher in the valgus compared to vertical position for both active (p = 0.03) and passive (p = 0.01) motion. Peak AMCL tension was higher in the valgus position for active (p = 0.02) and passive (p = 0.01) motion. There was no significant difference in AMCL tension between active and passive motion in the valgus (p = 0.15) or vertical (p = 0.39) positions. In the valgus position, tension increased with elbow flexion from 20–70° for both active (p = 0.04) and passive (p = 0.02) motion, but not from 70–120°. Thisin-vitrostudy demonstrated that AMCL tension increases with elbow flexion, and is greater in the valgus position relative to the vertical position. This information has important implications to the desired target strength of repair and reconstruction techniques.
Effects of a Community Care Station Program With Structured Exercise Intervention on Physical Performance and Balance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Prospective 2-Year Observational Study
Authors: Liang Chung-Chao , Change Qi-Xing , Hung Yu-Chou , Chen Chizan-Chung , Lin Chun-Hsiang , Wei Yu-Chun , Chen Jia-Ching
Published: March 2017

The Taiwanese government has developed community care stations (CCSs) for community-based older adult care. We investigated the effects of a structured exercise intervention, applied at CCS for 6 months, on physical performance and balance in community-dwelling older adults, including a 2-year reassessment. Fifty-eight participants (aged 76.9 ± 6.3 years) participated in the study. The Elderly Mobility Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), Timed Up and Go (TUG), gait speed, functional reach, one-leg-stance (OLS), and flexibility were evaluated at baseline, 6 months, and 2 years. Compared with baseline, the participants improved significantly in the SPPB (0.93 points), TUG (1.94 s), gait speed (0.13 m/s), and right and left OLS (2.56 and 3.12 s) at 6 months. Furthermore, these significant effects, except for OLS, were maintained at the 2-year reassessment according to repeated-measures ANOVA (p < .01). Our preliminary data suggest that adding a structured exercise program can benefit older adults participating in Taiwanese CCSs.
Gender Differences in the Domain-Specific Contributions to Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity, Accessed by GPS
Authors: Pizarro Andreia Nogueira , Schipperijn Jasper , Ribeiro José Carlos , Figueiredo António , Mota Jorge , Santos Maria Paula
Published: March 2017

Background:

Identifying where children spend their activity-time may help define relevant domains for effective PA promotion and better understand the relation between PA and environment. Our study aimed to identify how boys and girls allocate their active time in the different domains.

Methods:

374 children (201 girls; mean age = 11.7 years) wore an accelerometer and a GPS for 7 days. PALMS software combined data, categorized nonsedentary time and bouts of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Geographical information system allocated activity into 4 domains: school, leisure, transport and home.

Results:

Overall, a higher proportion of time in MVPA was found in the transport domain (45.5%), school (30.5%), leisure (21.3%), and home (2.7%). Gender differences were found for the proportion of time spent across domains. Girls (54.5%) had more MVPA than boys (35.2%) in the transport domain, whereas boys spent more MVPA time in school (37.0%) and leisure (24.9%) than girls (24.7% and 18.1, respectively).

Conclusions:

Interventions to increase transport behavior may be relevant for children’s MVPA. School is an important domain for boys PA, while for girls increasing the supportiveness of the school environment for PA should be a priority. Strategies should consider gender differences when targeting each domain.
Assembly of mesoscale helices with near-unity enantiomeric excess and light-matter interactions for chiral semiconductors
Authors: Feng Wenchun , Kim Ji-Young , Wang Xinzhi , Calcaterra Heather A. , Qu Zhibei , Meshi Louisa , Kotov Nicholas A.
Published: March 2017

Mesoscale CdTe helices with near-unity enantiomeric excess offer insight into design rules for chiroptical semiconductor materials.