bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cross-sectional analysis of universal vitamin D supplementation in former East Germany during the first year of life
Authors: Siafarikas Aris , Deichl Alfons , Jahreis Gerhard , Pieplow Angela , Vogel Hartmut , Kauf Eberhard , Kapuhs Anna-Elisabeth , Badeke Elke , Berger Günter , Kändler Hans , Hesse Volker
Published: February 2017

Background:

Universal vitamin D supplementation is controversial. Preventative examinations and public health initiatives in former East Germany that included vitamin D prophylaxis for children were regulated by official recommendations and guidelines. The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of a standardised nationwide guideline for universal supplementation with 400 International Units (IU) vitamin D3/day during the first year of life on clinical and biochemical parameters and the influence of surrounding factors.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional analysis looking at data from a field study of 3481 term-born children during their first year of life that was conducted in 1989.

Results:

There were no significant clinical signs of rickets. 25 hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (mean and SEM, total analyses n=572) after birth (n=28) was 36(7) nmol/L, at 1 month 64(4) nmol/L (n=70, p<0.0001), 91(5) nmol/L at 3 months (n=95, p<0.0001), 65(8) nmol/L at 8 months (n=21, p=0.005) and ranged between 33 and 109 nmol/L until 12 months. Less than 0.2% of analyses revealed pathological levels for calcium or phosphate. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (n=690) were >1500 U/L (95th percentile) in 3.6%. Participants were on breastmilk or vitamin D-free formula, with solids added from 6 months of age. There were seasonal variations in 25(OH)D levels with a rise during spring and autumn. Thus this analysis is unique as sun exposure and supplementation can be considered as the only vitamin D sources.

Conclusions:

We conclude that universal supplementation with 400 IU of vitamin D3 during the first year of life is safe and provides sufficient 25(OH)D levels in Germany.
Study Regarding the Quality Assurance in Manufacturing Processes
Authors: Pop Alina Bianca , Țîțu Mihail Aurel
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the most important aspects of the quality management of end milling processes on aluminum alloys, are presented. The first part of the paper includes the presentation of the machining activities such: design, planning, programming and control that transform the inputs (workpiece) into finished products. In the second part the research problem was defined by setting a fundamental objective and identifying the specific objectives which contribute to achieve the fundamental objective. In this context an experimental study, was performed, starting with the organization and conducting the end milling process, in which the cutting regime were established, then the characteristic measured parameters were determined, so that the research factors and parameters will result.
Identification and Quantification the Aroma Compounds from Autochthonous Plants with GC/FID System
Authors: Șandru Daniela Maria , Stegăruș Diana , Lengyel Ecaterina , Tița Ovidiu
Published: February 2017

The aims of this paper is to identify and quantify the flavor compounds that exist in plants in order to valorification in the nutritional supplements and food industry. The study was monitorising 16 different plants and the specific aromas was determined on the GC/FID system. The content esters can be reached on intervals starting from 1.0086 mg/L in Juniperus communis to 27.0172 mg/L in Teucrium chamaedrys. The superior alcohols values parameters start from 5.1209 mg/L for Melissa officinalis to 132.0837 mg/L in Teucrium chamaedrys. The aldehydes started from at minimum of 1.0218 mg/L at Centaurium erythraea and a maximum of 37.1829 at Vaccinium vitis-idaea. The terpene compounds starts from 0.0182 mg/L for Centaurium erythraea to 19.9280 mg/L at Teucrium chamaedrys. The results we obtained by this study represents the foundation for us in these bio potentially active plants in two important industries: the pharmaceutical and the food one-by obtaining nutritional supplements, liquors, extracts and tinctures.
Electronic and optical properties of ternary alloys ZnxCd1−xS, ZnxCd1−xSe, ZnSxSe1−x, MgxZn1−xSe
Authors: Benchikh K. , Abid H. , Benchehima M.
Published: February 2017

The empirical pseudopotential method (EPM) within the virtual crystal approximation (VCA) is used to calculate the electronic and optical properties of ternary alloys ZnxCd1−xS, ZnxCd1−xSe, ZnSxSe1−xand MgxZn1−xSe. The alloy band structures and energy gaps are calculated using VCA which incorporates the compositional disorder as an effective potential. The calculated band structures for the ZnxCd1−xS, ZnxCd1−xSe and ZnSxSe1−xalloys show a direct band gap in the whole range of the concentration except for the MgxZn1−xSe alloy which presents a crossover from the direct gap to the indirect one.Also the dependence of the refractive index on the concentration is calculated for each ternary alloy. This parameter is found to depend nonlinearly on the alloy concentration. A detailed comparison of our results with experimental data and works of other authors has led to a good agreement.
The crystal structure of triphenylphosphineoxide – 2,5-dichloro-3,6-dihydroxycyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (2/1), C42H32Cl2O6P2
Authors: Belay Alebel N. , Venter Johan A. , Roodt Andreas
Published: February 2017

C42H32Cl2O6P2, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 8.4669(12) Å, b = 9.7245(14) Å, c = 12.2425(17) Å, α = 69.887(6)°, β = 77.758(6)°, γ = 74.915(6)°, V = 905.5(2) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt(F) = 0.0295, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0850, T = 100 K.
Synthesis and crystal structure of catena-poly[(μ2-nicotinato-κ2
O,O′: κ1
N)-(nitrato-κ1
O)-(bis(2-benzimidazol-ylmethyl)amine-κ3
N,N′,N′′)lead(II)], C22H18N7O5Pb
Authors: Jia Yan-hui , Huang Fang-Fang , Peng Mei-Hong , Nie Feng-Mei
Published: February 2017

C22H18N7O5Pb, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 7.7446(17) Å, b = 16.914(3) Å, c = 17.726(3) Å, α = 72.451(6)°, β = 86.900(6)°, γ = 88.098(7)°, V = 2210.3(7) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt(F) = 0.0379, wR
ref(F
2) = 0.0751, T = 153 K.
Transitional Times
Authors: Lagerkvist Amanda
Published: February 2017

The alluring traits of ‘new media’ have spurred new research interests. This article discusses the discourse of ‘new media’ from the vantage point of critically reviewing three emissions from MIT Press during the years 1999-2003 within the series Media in Transition, as to the fundamental concepts used and introduced in these works. It cautions against any reductionist perspective on new media forms, and while highlighting the many merits of writing new media histories, the article shows that this discussion, also nascent within an interdisciplinary Swedish research environment, also carries other important features with implications for the relationships between communication and (time)space. It concludes that it is not enough to acknowledge that ‘new media’ call for a deep awareness of the historicity of the technological imaginary; deeper understandings of transitions in media also call for thoroughly expounding the socio-spatial ramifications of communication.
Iranian-Norwegian Media Consumption
Authors: Alghasi Sharam
Published: February 2017

This study examines 20 Iranian-Norwegians and their diverse media consumption. The claim is that the dynamics between media’s hegemonic quality, expressed in their discursive representation of realities, and Iranian-Norwegians’ subjective positions seem to have a vital impact on the processes of meaning construction and positioning that Iranian-Norwegians experience in Norwegian society. Analysis of the respondents’ media preferences indicates that they are most often attracted by three characteristics linked to their status: being Iranian, immigrant and Muslim. These elements emerge as identity markers that Iranian-Norwegians focus on in their relationship to the media, and furthermore employ in their negotiation of identity and position in Norwegian society. They often express an anomaly between their understanding of themselves, who they are and where they belong, and the discursive representation of them in the media. This results in an attitude of resistance, in the shape of the subjective constructions of the respondents, and which seems to propel them in different directions.
New War Journalism
Authors: Nohrstedt Stig A.
Published: February 2017

How has war journalism changed since the end of the Cold War? After the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, there was talk of a new world order. The Balkan Wars of the 1990s gave rise to the concept of “new wars”. The 1990-91 Gulf War was the commercial breakthrough for the around-the-clock news channel CNN, and the war in Afghanistan in 2001 for its competitor al-Jazeera. The 2003 Iraq war saw Internet’s great breakthrough in war journalism. A new world order, new wars, and new media – what impact is all this having on war journalism? This article outlines some important trends based on recent media research and discusses the new challenges as well as the consequences they entail for the conditions of war journalism, its professional reflexivity and democratic role.
The International Freedom of Information Index
Authors: Lidberg Johan
Published: February 2017

During the past two decades, the number of countries that have enacted Freedom of Information (FOI) laws has increased dramatically. In many respects, FOI laws have become a democratic ‘right of passage’. No FOI, no ‘proper’ democracy.

The promises of FOI regimes are far-reaching: extensive independent access to government-held information will lead to increased transparency, prevention of corruption and maladministration and greater public participation in the political process. But are these promises borne out by the practice of FOI?

This article describes a study that tracked a number of real-life FOI requests in five countries. The project puts forward a prototype for the first International Freedom of Information Index, ranking the five countries of study on how their FOI regimes function in practice.

In conclusion, the paper suggest that the FOI Index should be expanded to cover all 65 plus countries that have implemented FOI laws. It is argued that such an index could play an important role in furthering some of the core properties of liberal democracy: transparency, political accountability and good governance.
Targeting the Player
Authors: Ottosen Rune
Published: February 2017

The historical roots of the technology and design of computer games can be found in Pentagon-supported research in 1960s. Many computer games had their origin as simulators and training equipment for the armed forces. It can be argued that the content of computer games concerning real wars reflects the ideological interest of the military-industrial complex or the military-entertainment complex, as Robin Andersen has redefined it. Selected games such as ’America’s Army’, ‘Army of Two’’ and companies such as ‘Kuma War’ are analysed critically within the framework of the fight for ideological hegemony in the Global War on Terror. It is argued that when computer game are read as text, they can also be read as propaganda.
“Teenagers Get Undressed on the Internet”
Authors: Elm Malin Sveningsson
Published: February 2017

During recent years, Swedish media have paid attention to young people’s presentations of self in Internet communities, claiming that these presentations are often sexually provocative. The present study aims at investigating young men’s and women’s presentations of self in Sweden’s largest Internet community, focusing specifically on how bodies are displayed. This is done through quantitative and qualitative content analyses of the photos of 88 users. Results show differences in what parts of their bodies the young men and women show: women tend to focus on faces, while men focus on torsos. Results also contradict the image depicted by the media, as very few photos in the sample can be described as provocative. One explanation offered here concerns the specific Internet community’s lack of anonymity, meaning that the interaction is steered by the same mechanisms and social pressures at work in offline environments.
Bioinformatic resources for the investigation of proteins and proteomes
Authors: Facchiano Angelo
Published: February 2017

Experimental techniques in omics sciences need strong support of bioinformatics tools for the data management, analysis and interpretation. Scientific community develops continuously new databases and tools. They make it possible the comparison of new experimental data with the existing ones, to gain new knowledge. Bioinformatics assists proteomics scientists for protein identification from experimental data, management of the huge data produced, investigation of molecular mechanisms of protein functions, their roles in biochemical pathways, and functional interpretation of biological processes. This article introduces the main bioinformatics resources for investigation in the protein world, with references to analyses performed by means of free tools available on the net.
Returning to General and Vocational High-Schools in Indonesia
Authors: Mahirda Karina , Wahyuni Heni
Published: February 2017

Promoting vocational secondary education can be an appealing option for developing countries in order to improve labour market outcomes. The main reason for the promotion of vocational education is the increase of the labour force. The debate regarding the benefit resulted from vocational education, as opposed to general education is far from conclusive. This paper analyses the return to schooling of vocational and general high-schools in Indonesia using Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS). The study finds no difference in the returns to schooling between vocational and general high-schools in Indonesia. The findings may imply that the government should focus on promoting general education, especially in the developing countries such as Indonesia, easing the access to higher education, as well as improving the curriculum in vocational education.
Entrepreneurial Intentions of University Students: A Comparison between Kosovo and Turkey Using Shapero’s Model
Authors: Uysal Boratay
Published: February 2017

Entrepreneurship has emerged as an essential instrument for social and economic development in both industrialized and developing countries. However, while the phenomenon spreads all over the world, the intention of young generations to become self-employed differs according to country context. In this regard, the paper investigates the differences in the levels of entrepreneurial intentions and their antecedents of university students from Turkey and Kosovo. With the purpose of measuring such differences, structured questionnaires based on Shapero’s model were distributed within the main universities in Ankara and Prishtina. The findings indicate that there is a statistically significant difference between Turkey and Kosovo in determination of entrepreneurial intentions.
Hedonic Price Analysis of Non-Barren Broodmares
Authors: Dority Bree L. , Larreau Dayna , Tenkorang Frank
Published: February 2017

The current real average selling price of a thoroughbred broodmare is nearly half its peak value in 2000. While annual price changes are influenced by economic performance, different prices at an auction are influenced by physical and genetic characteristics of broodmares. We use auction data from the 2013 November Keeneland Breeding Stock Sales to estimate a hedonic pricing model. We find prices are positively influenced by earnings of the covering sire, earnings of the broodmare, pedigree, and the racing performance of broodmare progeny. Conversely, the age of a broodmare and the day on which the horse sold have dampening effects on broodmare prices.
A Review of ‘Brain Computation as Hierarchical Abstraction’
Authors: Herzog Bodo
Published: February 2017

This article is a review of the book ‘Brain Computation As Hierarchical Abstraction’ by Dana H. Ballard published by MIT press in 2015. The book series computational neuroscience familiarizes the reader with the computational aspects of brain functions based on neuroscientific evidence. It provides an excellent introduction of the functioning, i.e. the structure, the network and the routines of the brain in our daily life. The final chapters even discuss behavioral elements such as decision-making, emotions and consciousness. These topics are of high relevance in other sciences such as economics and philosophy. Overall, Ballard’s book stimulates a scientifically well-founded debate and, more importantly, reveals the need of an interdisciplinary dialogue towards social sciences.
Psychological factors and psychosocial interventions for cancer related pain
Authors: Ciucă Andrada , Băban Adriana
Published: February 2017

The present paper is aimed at briefly presenting psychological factors involved in cancer related pain and what psychosocial interventions are efficient in reducing it. Cancer related pain is a complex experience and the most integrative and recommended approach is the biopsychosocial model. It has been proved that chronic pain is more strongly related to psychological factors than to treatment or illness related factors. Psychological factors influencing pain experience can be intuitively grouped starting with awareness of pain (i.e., attentional factor), then with evaluation of pain (i.e., cognitive factors) which is leading to feelings (i.e., emotional factors), and behaviours (i.e., coping strategies) regarding pain. Psychosocial interventions (i.e., skill based and education based interventions) have strong evidence that is effective in reducing cancer related pain.
Percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy; A comparison of axial vs. sagittal probe location
Authors: Shamshirgar Farnaz , Bagheri Seyed Morteza
Published: February 2017

Background. Renal biopsy is an important method for diagnosis of renal parenchymal abnormalities. Here, we compare the effectiveness and complications of percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy using axial vs. sagittal probe locations.

Methods. In a cross-sectional survey, in 2012, patients with a nephrologist order were biopsied by a radiology resident. Renal biopsy was done on 15 patients using axial (A group) and the same number of biopsies done with sagittal probe location (S group). The two groups were compared in term of the yields and complications of each method.

Results. In the A group, the ratio of glomeruli gathered to the number of obtained samples was significantly higher than in the S group. Nine patients in the A group (60%) required only two samplings, whereas 66.7% in the S group required more than two attempts. Microscopic hematuria was more common in the A; conversely, gross hematuria was less common in the A group. Meagre hematomas were more frequent in the S group. When compared with hemoglobin level before biopsy, its level 24 hours after biopsy was similar within groups.

Conclusion. Our study shows that percutaneous ultrasound-guided renal biopsy using axial probe provides better yield with fewer efforts and fewer serious complications.
National Academic Conference – Financial Crime in Poland
Authors: Trawiński Tomasz
Published: February 2017

This is a speech by superintendent Tomasz Trawinski, the regional police commander in Poznań, who opened the first of the series of conferences devoted to the history of financial crime in Poland. The present threat of escalating financial crime is not only the concern of the agencies established for fighting this abnormality, but also of other institutions which can potentially be of help in fulfilling this task. In this field, the Polish police is open to new forms of cooperation and one of them is the collaboration with academic and scientific centers.
Financial Crime in Crime Fiction in Socialist Poland
Authors: Skotarczak Dorota
Published: February 2017

Financial crime was one of the recurring themes in crime stories written in the period of socialist Poland. The writer who first undertook this subject was Leopold Tyrmand in his book “The Man with the White Eyes” (1955). The publication of this book is considered one of the symptoms of the cultural “thaw” and the end of real socialism. Tyrmand shows crime which develops when the state, cooperative and private businesses meet, but also the corruption and powerlessness of Citizen’s Militia. During Władysław Gomułka’s administration (1956–1970), this problem often recurred e.g. in the books written by Anna Kłodzińska and Barbara Gordon. Very often the villain was the “fraudulent director”. Both the meat scandal and the leather scandal were described in crime novels. Edward Gierek’s administration (1970–1980) was the time when the theme of financial crime was abandoned, but it returned after the introduction of martial law in 1981. This time, it was pointed out that it was the previous administration that had committed frauds. Crime novels accurately described the economic abnormalities of socialist Poland, the hampering of individual initiatives and the omnipresent corruption, but they also reflected the state’s policy towards the people in power who were illegally gaining wealth.
Black Market – Financial Crimes Committed for Personal Purposes
Authors: Miłosz Jan
Published: February 2017

In socialist Poland, in the reality of centrally planned economy, average citizens experienced chronic deficits of basic commodities. Although the intensity of the problem varied, at no time could one say that the official market fully satisfied the demand for basic or luxurious goods sought by citizens. On the one hand, the market was steered manually, prices were set and kept on the same level for many years, and the volume of production and its cost was centrally planned, but on the other hand, salaries in national companies were raised, which resulted in unsatisfied demand for the goods that the official market lacked. How, then, did average citizens deal with these problems? How, by committing more or less serious financial crimes, did they become players in the black market game, the stake of which was satisfying their own needs? This article attempts at describing the situation in this specific market in various periods of socialist Poland. It also tries to demonstrate which products were the most desirable and most often sold in the black market. Most citizens of socialist Poland, knowing that their behavior is against the law, limited their participation in the black market to purchasing or selling the most urgently needed products.
Authorities and Society vs. Financial Crime in the Gomułka Period in Poland
Authors: Jarosz Dariusz
Published: February 2017

The pivotal motive behind financial crime in the real socialist states was the chronic shortage of goods and services. In the case of Poland under the Gomułka administration (1956-1970), a factor which contributed to the prevalence of practices considered economically criminal was, ironically, the liberalization of the government in the period following Władysław Gomułka’s rise to power. The procedure of issuing new licenses to private and co-operative manufacturing businesses fostered illegal practices, because the new businesses needed supplies of deficit resources. Private trade businesses struggled with similar problems. The authorities tried to prevent financial crime by concentrating on publishing new laws which allowed heavy punishment for those behind the biggest economic scandals. In this field, the penal policy was shaped by the top authorities of the communist party, and their decisions were binding for the institutions of the justice system. Such decisions of the top authorities of the Polish United Workers’ Party (PUWP) were behind the death sentence for Stanisław Wawrzecki, who was charged with fraudulence in meat trade in Warsaw. Poles’ attitude towards financial crime was not clear-cut. One the one hand, in their letters to authorities, many Poles expressed their support for severe punishment for those responsible for the biggest fraud, while others objected towards capital punishment for Wawrzecki. The information we have on the dynamics of confirmed financial crimes does not provide a clear answer whether it was actually related to the severity of the punishments.
Financial Crime in the Operational Work of the State Security Service Until 1956 – Lower Silesian Perspective
Authors: Klementowski Robert
Published: February 2017

Nationalization and the introduction of state-controlled economy led to the emergence of abnormal social phenomena, including system-specific crimes. Economic transformations were the foundation of the systemic revolution carried out in the first decade after the Second World War, therefore they were the subject of interest for the Ministry of Public Security. That is why financial crimes were treated just like political crimes, which was also justified by legal provisions, as no specific definition of this type of crime existed. This allowed the authorities (secret police, prosecutor’s office, courts, media) to interpret the events according to their will and current political needs, and, as a result, to administer various overt or covert repressions (death penalty, imprisonment, forced cooperation with the secret police).
Professional Negligence, Mismanagement and Malpractice. Polish Companies in the Light of Supreme Audit Office Materials in the Years 1976-1980
Authors: Lesiakowski Krzysztof
Published: February 2017

The birth of the “Solidarity” Independent Self-governing Trade Union in 1980 was accompanied by a strong revisionist movement. The Polish society expected punishment for the previous administration, led by Edward Gierek, as it was their policy up to that point that resulted with enormous external debt and ubiquitous shortages of consumer goods. A lot was said about wastefulness, corruption and professional negligence, both in the state administration and in the managements of Polish companies. And these opinions were somehow justified, as evidenced by the results of audits performed by the Supreme Audit Office (Najwyższa Izba Kontroli, NIK) in the years 1976–1980. Information recorded in the audit documentation was in line with the social attitudes. Due to formal and legal conditions back then, NIK auditors could not inspect the most important companies, however they managed to prove that the scale of illegal actions committed by directors and managers was large and increased year by year.
Hotels in Łódź city space
Authors: Włodarczyk Bogdan
Published: February 2017

The article is an attempt to describe the current development level of the hotel base in Łódź – the third largest city in Poland. The analysis deals with both historical and spatial aspects. The detailed analysis of the hotel distribution in Łódź is based on A. KOWALCZYK’s (2001a) categorisation of hotel location types in urban areas. The Łódź hotel base is compared with other large cities in Poland.
Heart Rate Variability Discriminates Competitive Levels in Professional Soccer Players
Authors: Proietti Riccardo , di Fronso Selenia , Pereira Lucas A. , Bortoli Laura , Robazza Claudio , Nakamura Fabio Y. , Bertollo Maurizio
Published: February 2017

Proietti, R, di Fronso, S, Pereira, LA, Bortoli, L, Robazza, C, Nakamura, FY, and Bertollo, M. Heart rate variability discriminates competitive levels in professional soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 31(6): 1719–1725, 2017—Heart rate variability (HRV) has been increasingly used to monitor team sports athletes. Besides the traditional time domain indices (i.e., the SD of successive RR intervals [SDNN] and the root mean square difference of successive normal RR intervals [RMSSD]), recently the use of the stress score (SS), which is an inverse function of the SD2 index derived from the Poincaré plot, and the sympathetic/parasympathetic ratio (S/PS) to monitor soccer players has been proposed. However, the reliability of these new indices and the ability of HRV to differentiate between soccer competitive levels are unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability of the different HRV-derived indices in professional soccer players during the competitive period and to compare HRV of professional soccer players from 3 teams of distinct competitive levels (i.e., Italian Second Division [2D], European League [EL], and Champions League [CL]). Fifty-four male professional soccer players from 3 different teams of 2 European countries (Italy and Germany) participated in the study. The intraclass correlation coefficient values of the HRV indices varied from 0.78 (very large) to 0.90 (near perfect). The coefficient of variation (CV) values for RMSSD and SDNN were all <5.00%, although the CV for SS was 6.13% and for S/PS, it was 21.33%. Both the CL and EL groups, assumed to be internationally qualified, presented higher lnRMSSD and lnSDNN and lower lnSS and S/PS than the 2D. Therefore, the HRV can be considered reliable in professional soccer players and is able to differentiate between international- and national-level players.
Metabolic and Mechanical Effects of Laddermill Graded Exercise Testing
Authors: Allerton Timothy D. , Earnest Conrad P. , Johannsen Neil M.
Published: February 2017

Allerton, TD, Earnest, CP, and Johannsen, NM. Metabolic and mechanical effects of laddermill graded exercise testing. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 195–200, 2018—The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic responses and mechanical impact forces during a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a laddermill (LM) vs. a standard treadmill (TM). Twenty college-aged men (n = 10) and women completed a GXT on the TM and LM in random order. During the GXT, expired gases (V̇o
2 and V̇co
2), heart rate, accelerometer data, blood lactate (BLa), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected in the last minute of each stage. Data were analyzed by paired t-tests and presented herein as mean ± SD. Treadmill exercise resulted in a higher V̇o
2peak than LM exercise (45.6 ± 7.5 vs. 41.2 ± 5.6 ml·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.001). Blood lactate threshold was similar (p = 0.2) between LM (62 ± 17% V̇o
2peak) and TM (68 ± 1% V̇o
2peak). The average activity level experienced during LM (0.14 ± 0.04 vector magnitude unit [VMU]) exercise was lower (p < 0.0001) vs. TM (0.67 ± 0.01 VMU). Additionally, impact forces were reduced (p < 0.005) from the vertical plane during LM (−0.46 ± 0.12g) compared with TM (−0.81 ± 0.06g) exercise. Our results suggest that the nature of LM exercise does not elicit the same V̇o
2peak response observed during TM exercise. However, impact forces were reduced and energy expenditure remained higher during LM testing, whereas RPE was similar between modalities. LM exercise may provide an alternative to individuals seeking to incur a negative energy balance, but to whom higher impact forces are detrimental.
Evaluating Injury Risk and Gender Performance on Health- and Skill-Related Fitness Assessments
Authors: Grier Tyson L. , Canham-Chervak Michelle , Bushman Timothy T. , Anderson Morgan K. , North William J. , Jones Bruce H.
Published: February 2017

Grier, TL, Canham-Chervak, M, Bushman, TT, Anderson, MK, North, WJ, and Jones, BH. Evaluating injury risk and gender performance on health- and skill-related fitness assessments. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 971–980, 2017—The purpose of this analysis was to investigate the association of injury risk and gender performance on health- and skill-related fitness assessments. A survey was used to collect personal characteristics and Army Physical Fitness Test scores (2-mile run, push-ups, and sit-ups). Within the same day, 9 physical fitness assessments were performed. Percent body fat was estimated using height, weight, age, and sex. All fitness assessment data were categorized into tertiles of high, moderate and low performance. To investigate potential injury risk predicted by fitness assessment performance, injury risk ratios, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using medical record data. A total of 3,264 soldiers completed surveys and physical fitness assessments. Tertiles of fitness performance with men and women combined showed that on an average, 14% of women and 70% of men were in the moderate- and high-performance groups. Among men, higher injury risk was independently associated with low performance on a 2-mile run (ORslow/fast = 1.51, 95% CI 1.18–1.94) and low performance on a weighted 300-yard shuttle run (ORslow/fast = 1.36, 95% CI 1.06–1.74). For women, a higher risk of injury was associated with low performance on the 2-mile run (ORslow/fast = 2.38, 95% CI 1.04–5.74). Therefore, out of the 13 fitness assessments, the 2-mile run and weighted 300-yard shuttle run can also (in addition to measuring performance) be utilized to identify soldiers or athletes who are at a higher risk of experiencing an injury.
Preseason Maximal Aerobic Power in Professional Soccer Players Among Different Divisions
Authors: Marcos Michaelides A. , Koulla Parpa M. , Anthos Zacharia I.
Published: February 2017

Marcos, MA, Koulla, PM, and Anthos, ZI. Preseason maximal aerobic power in professional soccer players among different divisions. J Strength Cond Res 32(2): 356–363, 2018—The purpose of this study was to examine and compare the anthropometric, maximal oxygen uptake (V̇o
2max), and positional differences of first division (D1) professional football players from players of second (D2) and third (D3) divisions in Cyprus football leagues. Four hundred twenty-one professional male football players participated in this study. All subjects underwent anthropometric and body composition evaluation. In addition, they performed an incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) on a treadmill for V̇o
2max evaluation. The results were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance, between subjects design revealing significant effects among the divisions. Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) tests demonstrated that players from D1 scored significantly higher on V̇o
2max and lasted significantly longer on the treadmill than participants of D2 and D3 (p ≤ 0.05). Similar findings were demonstrated when D2 was contrasted against D3 players. Goalkeepers, defenders, and forwards demonstrated significantly higher anthropometric measurements, whereas wingers and midfielders demonstrated significantly higher V̇o
2max (p ≤ 0.05) than goalkeepers and defenders. The findings of this study clearly demonstrated that cardiovascular fitness, as determined by CPET, is an important fitness parameter that differentiates professional football players who play at a more advanced level. This could be attributed to the different seasonal schedules that allow for longer transition time for lower division players and thus favoring greater detraining effects. Emphasis should be given by fitness professionals on transition period training to minimize the detraining effects especially in lower divisions.
Effect of Carbohydrate, Caffeine, and Carbohydrate + Caffeine Mouth Rinsing on Intermittent Running Performance in Collegiate Male Lacrosse Athletes
Authors: Dolan Patrick , Witherbee Kyle E. , Peterson Kimi M. , Kerksick Chad M.
Published: February 2017

Dolan, P, Witherbee, KE, Peterson, KM, and Kerksick, CM. Effect of carbohydrate, caffeine, and carbohydrate + caffeine mouth rinsing on intermittent running performance in collegiate male lacrosse athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2473–2479, 2017—Recently, an interest has developed in the potential to rinse the oral cavity with key nutrients to impact various types of exercise and presumably sporting performance. Although multiple studies examining carbohydrate mouth rinsing have been completed, conflicting evidence surrounding caffeine mouth rinsing persists, and no research has explored its ability to impact high-intensity, intermittent running performance. This study investigated the independent and synergistic ability of carbohydrate and caffeine mouth rinsing to improve intermittent running performance. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test-Level 1 (Yo-Yo Level 1) was completed in 10 collegiate (National Collegiate Athletic Association [NCAA] Division II) male lacrosse players after a 10-second mouth rinse with a solution of either carbohydrate (CHO), caffeine (CAF), carbohydrate + caffeine (CHO + CAF), placebo (H2O), or a no rinse control (CON). No significant improvements in Yo-Yo IRT-1 performance were found (p > 0.05). Perceptual indications of effort (i.e., rating of their perceived exertion [RPE]) were significantly lower (p ≤ 0.05) in CHO and CHO + CAF when compared with CON after speed level 11. Interestingly, RPE levels were nonsignificantly lower in all but one level of the Yo-Yo Level 1 for CHO in comparison with other groups. Carbohydrate and caffeine mouth rinsing seems to exert no impact on running performance before maximal intermittent running in a group of male collegiate lacrosse players.
Exertional Rhabdomyolysis in a 21-Year-Old Healthy Woman: A Case Report
Authors: McKay Brianna D. , Yeo Noelle M. , Jenkins Nathaniel D.M. , Miramonti Amelia A. , Cramer Joel T.
Published: February 2017

McKay, BD, Yeo, NM, Jenkins, NDM, Miramonti, AA, and Cramer, JT. Exertional rhabdomyolysis in a 21-year-old healthy woman: a case report. J Strength Cond Res 31(5): 1403–1410, 2017—The optimal resistance training program to elicit muscle hypertrophy has been recently debated and researched. Although 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 70–80% of the 1 repetition maximum (1RM) are widely recommended, recent studies have shown that low-load (∼30% 1RM) high-repetition (3 sets of 30–40 repetitions) resistance training can elicit similar muscular hypertrophy. Incidentally, this type of resistance training has gained popularity. In the process of testing this hypothesis in a research study in our laboratory, a subject was diagnosed with exertional rhabdomyolysis after completing a resistance training session that involved 3 sets to failure at 30% 1RM. Reviewed were the events leading up to and throughout the diagnosis of exertional rhabdomyolysis in a healthy recreationally-trained 21-year-old woman who was enrolled in a study that compared the acute effects of high-load low-repetition vs. low-load high-repetition resistance training. The subject completed a total of 143 repetitions of the bilateral dumbbell biceps curl exercise. Three days after exercise, she reported excessive muscle soreness and swelling and sought medical attention. She was briefly hospitalized and then discharged with instructions to take acetaminophen for soreness, drink plenty of water, rest, and monitor her creatine kinase (CK) concentrations. Changes in the subject's CK concentrations, ultrasound-determined muscle thickness, and echo intensity monitored over a 14-day period are reported. This case illustrates the potential risk of developing exertional rhabdomyolysis after a low-load high-repetition resistance training session in healthy, young, recreationally-trained women. The fact that exertional rhabdomyolysis is a possible outcome may warrant caution when prescribing this type of resistance exercise.
Electromyographic Comparison of Barbell Deadlift, Hex Bar Deadlift, and Hip Thrust Exercises: A Cross-Over Study
Authors: Andersen Vidar , Fimland Marius S. , Mo Dag-Andrè , Iversen Vegard M. , Vederhus Torbjørn , Rockland Hellebø Lars R. , Nordaune Kristina I. , Saeterbakken Atle H.
Published: February 2017

Andersen, V, Fimland, MS, Mo, D-A, Iversen, VM, Vederhus, T, Rockland Hellebø, LR, Nordaune, KI, and Saeterbakken, AH. Electromyographic comparison of barbell deadlift, hex bar deadlift, and hip thrust exercises: a cross-over study. J Strength Cond Res 32(3): 587–593, 2018—The aim of the study was to compare the muscle activation level of the gluteus maximus, biceps femoris, and erector spinae in the hip thrust, barbell deadlift, and hex bar deadlift; each of which are compound resisted hip extension exercises. After 2 familiarization sessions, 13 resistance-trained men performed a 1 repetition maximum in all 3 exercises in 1 session, in randomized and counterbalanced order. The whole ascending movement (concentric phase), as well as its lower and upper parts (whole movement divided in 2), were analyzed. The hip thrust induced greater activation of the gluteus maximus compared with the hex bar deadlift in the whole (16%, p = 0.025) and the upper part (26%, p = 0.015) of the movement. For the whole movement, the biceps femoris was more activated during barbell deadlift compared with both the hex bar deadlift (28%, p < 0.001) and hip thrust (20%, p = 0.005). In the lower part of the movement, the biceps femoris activation was, respectively, 48% and 26% higher for the barbell deadlift (p < 0.001) and hex bar deadlift (p = 0.049) compared with hip thrust. Biceps femoris activation in the upper part of the movement was 39% higher for the barbell deadlift compared with the hex bar deadlift (p = 0.001) and 34% higher for the hip thrust compared with the hex bar deadlift (p = 0.002). No differences were displayed for the erector spinae activation (p = 0.312–0.859). In conclusion, the barbell deadlift was clearly superior in activating the biceps femoris compared with the hex bar deadlift and hip thrust, whereas the hip thrust provided the highest gluteus maximus activation.
Between-Session Reliability of Isometric Midthigh Pull Kinetics and Maximal Power Clean Performance in Male Youth Soccer Players
Authors: Dos'Santos Thomas , Thomas Christopher , Comfort Paul , McMahon John J. , Jones Paul A. , Oakley Nick P. , Young Ashley L.
Published: February 2017

Dos'Santos, T, Thomas, C, Comfort, P, McMahon, JJ, Jones, PA, Oakley, NP, and Young, AL. Between-session reliability of isometric midthigh pull kinetics and maximal power clean performance in male youth soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3373–3381, 2018—The aim of the study was to determine the between-session reliability of isometric midthigh pull (IMTP) kinetics and maximal weight lifted during the power clean (PC) in male youth soccer players, and to identify the smallest detectable differences between sessions. Thirteen male youth soccer players (age: 16.7 ± 0.5 years, height: 1.80 ± 0.08 m, and mass: 70.5 ± 9.4 kg) performed 3 IMTP trials, whereas only 10 soccer players performed maximal PCs. These were performed twice, separated by 48 hours to examine the between-session reliability. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) and coefficient of variation (CV) demonstrated high levels of within-session (ICC = 0.84–0.98, CV = 4.05–10.00%) and between-session reliability (ICC = 0.86–0.96, CV = 3.76–7.87%) for IMTP kinetics (peak force [PF] and time-specific force values 30–250 ms) and maximal PC (ICC = 0.96, CV = 3.23%), all meeting minimum acceptable reliability criteria. No significant differences (p > 0.05, effect size ≤0.22) were revealed between sessions for IMTP kinetics and maximal PC performance. Strength and conditioning coaches and practitioners should consider changes of >6.04% in maximal PC and changes in IMTP kinetics of >14.31% in force at 30 ms, >14.73% in force at 50 ms, >12.36% in force at 90 ms, >12.37% in force at 100 ms, >14.51% in force at 150 ms, >11.71% in force at 200 ms, >7.23% in force at 250 ms, and >8.50% in absolute PF as meaningful improvements in male youth soccer players. Decrements in the IMTP kinetics greater than the aforementioned values could possibly be used as an indicator of neuromuscular fatigue and preparedness for training or competition.
Preseason Functional Movement Screen Predicts Risk of Time-Loss Injury in Experienced Male Rugby Union Athletes
Authors: Duke Sean R. , Martin Steve E. , Gaul Catherine A.
Published: February 2017

Duke, SR, Martin, SE, and Gaul, CA. Preseason functional movement screen predicts risk of time-loss injury in experienced male rugby union athletes. J Strength Cond Res 31(10): 2740–2747, 2017—The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score and the risk of time-loss injury in experienced male rugby union athletes. A secondary purpose was to determine the relationship between FMS-determined asymmetries and the risk of time-loss injury in these athletes. Functional Movement Screen scores were collected from male rugby union athletes (n = 73) during preseason and half-way through one 8-month season. Time-loss injury data were collected throughout the full season. A receiver-operator characteristic curve was created for each half of the season to identify FMS composite and asymmetry cut-off scores associated with increased likelihood of injury and determined odds ratios, sensitivity, and specificity in evaluating FMS as a predictor of injury risk. Odds ratio analyses revealed that when compared with those scoring >14, athletes with an FMS ≤14 were 10.42 times more likely (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28–84.75, p = 0.007) to have sustained injury in the first half of the season and 4.97 times (95% CI: 1.02–24.19, p = 0.029) more likely in the second half of the season. The presence of asymmetries was not associated with increased likelihood of injury. Experienced male rugby union athletes with FMS composite scores ≤14 are significantly more likely to sustain time-loss injury in a competitive season than those scoring >14. The quality of fundamental movement, as assessed by the FMS, is predictive of time-loss injury risk in experienced rugby union athletes and should be considered an important preseason assessment tool used by strength and conditioning and medical professionals in this sport with inherently high injury rates.
Individual and Combined Influence of ACE and ACTN3 Genes on Muscle Phenotypes in Polish Athletes
Authors: Orysiak Joanna , Mazur-Różycka Joanna , Busko Krzysztof , Gajewski Jan , Szczepanska Beata , Malczewska-Lenczowska Jadwiga
Published: February 2017

Orysiak, J, Mazur-Różycka, J, Busko, K, Gajewski, J, Szczepanska, B, and Malczewska-Lenczowska, J. Individual and combined influence of ACE and ACTN3 genes on muscle phenotypes in polish athletes. J Strength Cond Res 32(10): 2776–2782, 2018—The aim of this study was to examine the association between angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) genes, independently or in combination, and muscle strength and power in male and female athletes. The study involved 398 young male (n = 266) and female (n = 132) athletes representing various sport disciplines (ice hockey, canoeing, swimming, and volleyball). All were Caucasians. The following measurements were taken: height of jump and mechanical power in countermovement jump (CMJ) and spike jump (SPJ), and muscle strength of 10 muscle groups (flexors and extensors of the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and trunk). The insertion-deletion (I/D) polymorphism of ACE and the R577X polymorphism of ACTN3 were typed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), respectively. The genotype distribution of the ACE and ACTN3 genes did not differ significantly between groups of athletes for either sex. There was no association between ACE and ACTN3 genotypes (alone or in combination) and sum of muscle strength, height of jump or mechanical power in both jump tests (CMJ and SPJ) for male and female athletes. These findings do not support an influential role of the ACE and ACTN3 genes in determining power/strength performance of elite athletes.