bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Primary repair verses colostomy for colonic injuries
Authors: Nadeem Muhammad , Bashir Muhammad Mustehsan , Iqbal Javed , Rasheed Abdul
Published: June 2016

Objective: The objectives of this study are to: evaluate the role of primary repair with or without defunctioning colostomy in the management of colonic injury. identify the factors contributing to the outcome in management of colonic injuries. Study Design: Prospective Observational Setting: Surgical Unit IV, DHQ Hospital PMC Faisalabad. Duration: November 2001 to November 2003. Subjects and Methods: The patients of colonic injury presenting at one emergency day were included in primary repair group (n=20) and patient of colonic injury at next emergency day were included in colostomy group (n=20). All patients were aggressively resuscitated and investigated. Colonic injury was suspected on clinical grounds and managed according to standard protocol (vide infra). Associated injures were managed accordingly. Colostomy was closed after three months and all patients were followed for six months complete record was maintained on preformed proforma. Results: Most patients were males and average age in both groups was 28.5 years. Fire arm injury was the top most cause of colonic injury in both groups. In both groups left colon was injured in majority of cases. Maximum time interval between injury and treatment in both groups was within 24 hours. Majority of patients in both groups had associated injuries and commonest injured viscera was small gut. The average hospital stay in primary repair group was half of that in colostomy group. Two patients (10%) in primary repair group who developed complications had right colonic injuries with moderate fecal contamination. In colostomy group ten patients (50%) developed complications majority having left colonic injury with moderate contamination. In majority of the patients who developed complications in both groups the delay was more than 6 hours. There was no mortality in either of the groups. Conclusion: Primary repair of colonic injuries has less morbidity and is less expensive as compared to colostomy and is ideal method of management for colonic injury in patients aggressively resuscitated with no pre existing medical illness.
Relationship of maternal and neonatal iron status
Authors: Nazar Iqbal , Tayyib Muhammad , Tasneem Tahira , Farooq Muhammad , Ujjan Ikram Din
Published: June 2016

A total of 80 full term pregnant women were selected and were divided into two groups on the basis of hemoglobin level. Group A included 40 pregnant women having Hb level more than 11.0 g/dl. Group A, included neonates born to group A mothers. Group B included 40 pregnant women having Hb < 11.0 g/dl and B, included their respective neonates. Serum iron, serum TIBC and serum ferritin were done by commercially available kits. Results obtained were analyzed by using students `t` test and level of significance was done. Serum iron and serum ferritin w as reduced in mothers of group B and their respective neonates while serum TIBC was higher in mothers and neonates of group B.
Obstetrical and fetal outcome in teen age primigravida
Authors: Iqbal Farhat , Azad Samia , Tayyab Rakshanda
Published: June 2016

A prospective case control study was carried out in Gynae Unit-II, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore from December, 2002 to December, 2003. Total 60 cases were included in study. 30 were cases of primigravida < 19 years of age (study group and 30 cases > 20 years of age (control group) were studied after 24 weeks of gestation. The mean age for study group was 18.03±0.89 and control group was 24.23±2.80. 8 subjects (26%) of PIH in study group and 3(10%) were in control group. 2 subjects (6%) of UTI in study group and 0 case in control group. 6(20%) subjects were anemic in study group and only 1(3%) was in control (6%) no case in control group. Antepartum haemorrhage in 2 subjects (83%) of normal vaginal delivery in study group there were 25 cases (83%) while 22 subjects, (73%) in control group. Instrumental delivery in 1(3%) subject in study group. 3 subjects (10%) of postpartum haemorrhage were found in study group and only 1(3%) in control group. Puerperal infection was present in 4 subjects (13%) study group in 2 subjects (6%) in control group. 10 neonates (33%) were of low birth weight in study group, while 6 neonates (60%) in study group not seen in control group. We concluded teenage pregnancy is high risk pregnancy.
Rupture of previously scarred uterus
Authors: Gul Asma
Published: June 2016

Objective: To determine causative factors, find out associated maternal and faetal morbidity and mortality and to discuss preventive measures. Design: A prospective study. Place and duration of study: Department of Obs. And Gynae, Lahore General Hospital, (PGMI). Lahore for a period of four years, Jan. 2002 to Dec. 2003.Subject and methods: This study was conducted on sixty patients, with rupture of previously scarred uterus. Results: Total number of deliveries during these four years was 15,628. Rupture of uterus occurred in 0.47% cases (1: 214). Out of these rupture of previously scarred uterus accured in 82% cases. Most of the patients were between ages 21 - 30 years unbooked illiterate, belonged to poor class. 83% caesarean sections had been done in some peripheral non teaching hospitals. 13% patients had no labour pains at time of admission. The maternal mortality in this study was 3.33% and fetal mortality was 60%. Conclusion: First caesarean section should only be done if genuinely indicated, by some skilled obstetrician, in well equipped hospital. Patients with scarred uterus should be educated to have regular antenatal checkup and hospital delivery in next pregnancy.
Surgical complications of abortions at periphery
Authors: Tabassum Hassan Mahmood , Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar , Haq Mansoorul
Published: June 2016

Objectives: To study the patients presented with catastrophic abdominal misadventure due to abortion performed by untrained birth attendants to get rid of unwanted fetus by un-indicated procedures in unfavorable circumstances. Design: Observational case series. Place and Duration of Study: Surgical Unit I, Sh. Zayed Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan from July, 2001 to August, 2004. Patients and Methods: Forty patients from different age groups presented with this killer problem. Majority was concealing it. They were resuscitated, operated and managed postoperatively. Results: These patients presented late, suffered financial loss, morbidity and significant mortality. Conclusion: Unplanned abortions are catastrophic. Education of masses in regard to birth control is mandatory.
Routine episiotomy versus selective episiotomy in primigravidae
Authors: Ali Shamam Shehla , Malik Mariam , Iqbal Javed , Faruqi Naheed Jamal
Published: June 2016

Objectives: To compare the maternal and fetal outcome in routine versus selective episiotomy in primigravidae. Study Design: A randomized controlled trial conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan. The two interventions compared were selective (limited to specified maternal or fetal indications) and routine episiotomy (following the hospital policy). 200 primigravidae were included in the study, 100 women in each group. The main outcome measure was severe perineal trauma (3rd degree and 4th degree tear). Results: Episiotomy was made in 32% of deliveries in the selected and 100% in the routine group. Severe perineal trauma was not seen in either group. Anterior vaginal/ Paraurethral trauma was more common in the selected group. However, posterior surgical repair, perineal pain, wound dehiscence and other healing complications were all less frequent in selected group.
Secondary tonsillar hemorrhage: a one year retrospective study in a District General Hospital
Authors: M Tariq
Published: June 2016

Tonsillectomy is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures. Hemorrhage is its most significant complication. The literature indicates that most concern centres on reactionary rather than secondary hemorrhage. The aims of this study have been to determine the incidence of secondary tonsillar hemorrhage, the influence of patient age and operator experience and the predictive value of a history of infection, bleeding disorders and coagulation studies. A 4% incidence of secondary tonsillar hemorrhage was found, almost half of these having such severe bleeding as to warrant surgical intervention. The following findings also emerged: a) More adults than children suffered secondary hemorrhage. b) Incidence of secondary hemorrhage is independent of operator experience. c) There was a negative history of infection and bleeding disorders. d) Coagulation studies were normal in all cases. Despite improvements in standards and socio-economic and medical advances, secondary tonsillar haemorrhage continues to be a significant risk.
Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy: hope or hype!
Authors: Khan Khalid Javed , Irshad Khalid , Ben N Younes A H , Ahmed Raheel , Chaudhry. Aftab Ahmad
Published: June 2016

This study was carried out to assess the feasibility of Stapled haemorrhoidectomy. This included 45 patients of which twenty nine were males and sixteen females. Age ranged from 23 to 84 years. The severity of the disease ranged from 3rd to 4th degree haemorrhoids. Place of study was Sir Ganga Ram, Masood and Wishaw Hospital Scotland. Period of study was two years from October 2002 to October 2004.
Malignant Melanoma: presentation as a primary retroperitoneal tumor
Authors: Fahim Fraz , Afzal Muhammad Farooq , Ayyaz Mahmood , Fahim Sheema
Published: June 2016

This is a case report of an extremely rare primary malignant melanoma presenting in the retroperitoneum of a 30 years old female. She was operated in a District General Hospital with a presumptive diagnosis of hydatid cyst of right lobe of liver. The patient bled profusely on exploration and the surgeon packed the abdomen and referred her to our emergency, where she was received in shock. After resuscitation she was operated on the next available list and was found to have a very vascular, pigmented, retroperitoneal mass measuring 10-x 12-cm lying in front of the infrarenal IVC pushing the duodenum towards the midline. It was completely excised. Histopathology showed it to be a malignant melanoma. Upon subsequent examination and extensive workup, no evidence of a primary malignant melanoma was found. There was no past history of a melanoma which may have regressed spontaneously or excised. After extensive search of literature we could not find another report of a primary retroperitoneal melanoma.
Health consequences of induced abortion
Authors: Malik Aisha
Published: June 2016

Perforation of the uterus presents one of the gravest complications of emptying the pregnant uterus. induced abortion has emerged as one of the major share-holders of maternal mortality in third world countries. Of particulars importance is the fact that most of the illegal abortions, performed in the underdeveloped and developing countries, are attempted in older, multiparous women, increasing the risks many- fold. In the present article, a typical case of induced abortion, resulting in severe bowel injury, is presented followed by a discussion of the extent of the problem and its moral, social, and financial implications. Attention is drawn to the important role obstetrician / gynecologist can play, by providing better maternal / child health services, in an effort to reduce the incidence of induced abortion.
Toothpick perforation of small intestine in an adult
Authors: Shafiq Mohammad Akmal , Khan Intesarur Rashid , Siraj Samra
Published: June 2016

The patient presented in Emergency with Pain right iliac fossa for last 24 hours. It was sudden in onset, mild in intensity, non-radiating to any site, and was associated with mild fever. About 5-6 episodes of vomiting occurred in that period. Her menstrual history was normal. She was taking medication for Rheumatoid Arthritis fort last three months. With Alvarado Score of 6 a clinical diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis was made. X-ray Abdomen did not reveal any abnormality, Blood C/E, Urine C/E, Blood sugar blood urea and serum electrolytes. After preparation, patient was taken to the theatre. Rutherford Morrison incision was made. Her appendix was difficult to locate but was normal. Strangely a toothpick was seen in the mesentery of appendix and there was a pinpoint perforation in terminal ileum about two inches proximal to ileocaecal junction Fig 1. Margins were fresh and it did not give a look of old perforation. There were adhesions between loops of small intestine, which were also adherent to under surface of liver. After adhesionolysis, margins of perforation were trimmed and it was repaired in two layers (Inner vicryl 2/0 continuous and outer with prolene 4/0 interrupted. Appendicectomy was also performed. After washing abdominal cavity with 0.9 normal saline wound was closed in layers. Patient was given postoperative antibiotics and an analgesic, kept NPO for 24 hours, and was discharged successfully after 3 days. Later on patient was asked and she admitted taking a burger three days earlier but she did not remember any toothpick.
Imperforate anus in symmetrical conjoined live twins
Authors: Tabassum Hassan Mahmood , Chaudhry Muhammad Anwar , Malik Saeed Akhtar
Published: June 2016

This is a case report of newly born twins. The live twins were with two separate heads and a symmetrical body, conjoined in a sagittal plane. Their thorax and abdomen were broader then singleton normal. Spines were separate in cervical regions but gradually approached each other and completely fused at sacrum. Single perineum had an imperforate anus.
SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF GENERALIZED GINGIVAL ENLARGEMENT – A CASE SERIES
Authors: Akhtar Muhammad Usman , Nazir Asif , Kiran Samera
Published: June 2016

Introduction:  Generalized gingival enlargement is characterized by massive and exuberant gingival over-growth that poses social, aesthetic, phonetic and functional problems for the patient. Therefore, it requires meticulous management.Objective:  To describe the surgical management of generalized gingival enlargement by electrosurgical excision of patients presenting to a tertiary care centre.Study Design:  Case series.Materials and Methods:  The study was conducted at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, de’Montmorency College of Dentistry, Lahore, from January 2010 to December 2012. A total of sixteen patients were operated by using electrosurgical approach under general anaesthesia for surgical excision of generalized gingival enlargement.Results:  All of the sixteen patients, 11 males and 5 females, showed excellent healing postoperativelywithout any recurrent gingival overgrowth.Discussion:  To the best of our knowledge, the current study presents the largest case series of generalized gingival enlargement. Most of these cases were with massive disease due to lack of information of the study population about their disease, delay in referral by the general dental practitioners, painless and innocent nature of the problem. Early referral of such patients to tertiary care centers can prevent the patients from social and psychological embarrassment.Conclusion:  Electrosurgical excision is an excellent surgical technique for management of generalized gingival enlargement. Moreover, cross comparative studies are required to establish some diagnostic and therapeutic standards for such patients.
To study the adequacy of surgical muscle relaxation in paediatric patients scheduled for elective groin surgeries under general anesthesia using sevoflurane without using neuromuscular blocking agents
Authors: Khan Muhammad Ahmad , Sheraz Motsim , Kazmi Sayed Sajjad Raza
Published: June 2016

AbstractIntroduction:In Anesthesia practice neuromuscular blocking agents (muscle relaxants) are used for intubation and surgical muscle relaxation. The use of modern inhalational anesthetics like sevoflurane is commonly practiced in paediatric anesthesia for induction and endotracheal intubation. LMA is alternative to endotracheal intubation. It is commonly used supraglotic device for the elective surgical procedures in adults and paediatric population. We conducted this study to see whether sevoflurane produces enough surgical muscle relaxation so that the use of neuromuscular blocking agents can be avoided.Patients and Methods:84 paediatric patients of King Khalid Hospital (KSA) from April 2013 to February 2014 posted for elective surgical procedure were included in this observational study regarding the adequacy of surgical muscle relaxation. Induction of anesthesia was done with propofol 2mg/kg and Fentanyl 2 mcg/ kg. Airway was maintained with LMA. Anesthesia was maintained by sevoflurane in oxygen and air. Blood pressure and Heart rate was kept with 20% of baseline reading. Adequacy of surgical muscle relaxation was asked by the surgeon during surgery and was graded as good, fair or poor.Results:Mean age of the patients was 2.4 year. There were 76 male and 8 female patients. 47 patients were operated for inguinal herniotomy, 32 for orchedopexy and 5 for umbilical herniotomy. Surgical muscle relax-ation was good in all of the patients and none of them required use of muscle relaxants. Recovery of all patients was smooth.Discussion:Adequate surgical muscle relaxation is important to facilitate surgery. In paediatric population sevoflurane produces enough muscle relaxation for intubation and surgical muscle relaxation. Monitoring of muscle relaxation can be clinical as well as through muscle twitches.Conclusion:Our study showed that in paediatric population the elective surgical procedures of groin region can be done without using muscle relaxants.Keywords:Paediatric anesthesia, LMA, neuromuscular blocking agents, surgical muscle relaxation.
EFFECTIVENESS OF THERAPEUTIC ULTRASOUND WITH AND WITHOUT MULLIGAN MOBILZATION IN LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS
Authors: Afzal Muhammad Waqar , Ahmad Ashfaq , Waqas Muhammad Sharif , Ahmad Umair
Published: June 2016

ABSTRACTBackground and Introduction: Mechanical malfunction of elbow joint is the usual cause of lateral elbow pain. Even though varied procedures have suggested for maximizing elbow movements and decreasing elbow pain but mobilization of joints has validated the most efficacious technique. The outcome of manual therapy procedure i.e. Mulligan Mobilization along with Therapeutic ultrasound in lateral epicondylitis to reduce pain and recovery of function had been assimilated in this recent research.Methods: Study is true experimental in nature, randomized control trial adopted to select the subjects with lateral epicondylitis.Thirtypatients 15 in each group having LE were chosen Simple random sampling technique and arranged into two groups as guided by CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) guidelines. Group A received Ultrasound therapy with intensity of 1.2 W/cm2 with pulsed mode (3MHZ) and duration is 5 minutes .Group B received Ultrasound therapy with an intensity of 1.2 W/cm with pulsed mode (3MHZ) for 5 minutes and MWM applied on elbow in supine position shoulder positioned as internal rotation, forearm pronation and elbow extension with 10 repetition for 6 seconds with 15 seconds duration of rest.Total 12 sessions was conducted in duration of 4 weeks after including the patient in study. Four questionnaires was asked to fill i.e one after every 3 sessions Pain and functional activities were evaluated by PRTEE. Repeated measure ANOVA was used to compare the significance at different time intervals.Results: The results exhibited that The P-value for PRTEE (patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation) in group A using Therapeutic Ultrasound and was after four weeks of treatment which was less than the level of significance 0.05. So Therapeutic Ultrasound with Mulligan mobilization was more effective than Therapeutic Ultrasound to reduce pain and restoration of function.Conclusion: It was concluded that combination of mobilization of Mulligan and Therapeutic ultrasound was more effective compared with Therapeutic Ultrasound in and PRTEE scores in sufferers of lateral epicondylitisKey Words:Lateral Epicondylitis, Therapeutic Ultrasound, Mulligan mobilization, PRTEE.
Optimal operation of a multi-reservoir system for environmental water demand of a river-connected lake
Authors: Mao Jingqiao , Zhang Peipei , Dai Lingquan , Dai Huichao , Hu Tengfei
Published: June 2016

Dongting Lake, a large river-connected lake in the Yangtze River watershed, plays important roles in flood control, drought mitigation, and biodiversity conservation. Its ecosystem has recently been severely affected by upstream water resource development such as reservoir operations. In this study, an optimization model is developed for the operation of a multi-reservoir system, including the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) on the upper Yangtze River and 8 major reservoirs on the tributaries to Dongting Lake. The optimal target in pursuit of the ecological objective is to maximize the environmental water demand (EWD) satisfaction of the lake. A support vector regression-based model is used to predict the response of the lake level to reservoir operations. The optimization is carried out under different scenarios for both normal and dry conditions, and the results show that: (i) the existing operation policy could result in significant hydrologic alteration; (ii) in the normal condition, the proposed optimal joint operation policy could increase the general EWD satisfaction rate of Dongting Lake from 85.4% to 95.7%; and (iii) the improvement of EWD satisfaction in the normal condition is mainly affected by the TGR, while in the dry condition, the southern and western lake regions are more sensitive to the tributaries' reservoirs.
Intra and Inter-Rater Reliability and Convergent Validity of FIT-HaNSA in Individuals with Grade П Whiplash Associated Disorder
Authors: Pierrynowski Michael , McPhee Colleen , P. Mehta Saurabh , C. MacDermid Joy , Gross Anita
Published: June 2016

Background:

Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) are common following a motor vehicle accident. The Functional Impairment Test - Hand, and Neck/Shoulder/Arm (FIT-HaNSA) assesses upper extremity physical performance. It has been validated in patients with shoulder pathology but not in those with WAD.

Objectives:

Establish the Intra and inter-rater reliability and the known-group and construct validity of the FIT-HaNSA in patients with Grade II WAD (WAD2).

Methods:

Twenty-five patients with WAD2 and 41 healthy controls were recruited. Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), Neck Disability Index (NDI), Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), cervical range of motion (CROM), and FIT-HaNSA were completed at two sessions conducted 2 to 7 days apart by two raters. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to describe Intra and inter-rater reliability. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (ρ) were used to quantify the associations between scores of the FIT-HaNSA and other measures in the WAD2 group (convergent construct validity).

Results:

The Intra and inter-ICCs for the FIT-HaNSA scores ranged from 0.88 to 0.89 in the control group and 0.78 to 0.85 in the WAD2 group. Statistically significant differences in FIT-HaNSA performance between the two groups suggested known group construct validity (P < 0.001). The correlations between the NPRS, NDI, DASH, CROM and FIT-HaNSA were generally poor (ρ < 0.4).

Conclusion:

The study results indicate that the total FIT-HaNSA score has good Intra and inter-rater reliability and the construct validity in WAD2 and healthy controls.
An overview and discussion of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute's decision aid portfolio
Authors: Gayer Christopher C , Crowley Matthew J , Lawrence William F , Gierisch Jennifer M , Gaglio Bridget , Williams John W , Myers Evan R , Kendrick Amy , Slutsky Jean , Sanders Gillian D
Published: June 2016

Decision aids (DAs) help patients make informed healthcare decisions in a manner consistent with their values and preferences. Despite their promise, DAs developed with public research dollars are not being implemented and adopted in real-world patient care settings at a rate consistent with which they are being developed. To appraise the sum of the parts of the portfolio and create a strategic imperative surrounding future funding, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) tasked the Duke Evidence Synthesis Group with evaluating its DA portfolio. This paper describes PCORI's portfolio of DAs according to the Duke Evidence Synthesis Group's analysis in the context of PCORI's mission and the field of decision science. The results revealed a diversity within PCORI's portfolio of funded DA projects. Findings support the movement toward more rigorous DA development, assessment and maintenance. PCORI's funding priorities related to DAs are clarified and comparative questions of interest are posed.
Evaluating Teacher Preparation Using Graduates’ Observational Ratings
Authors: Ronfeldt Matthew , Campbell Shanyce L.
Published: June 2016

Despite growing calls for more accountability of teacher education programs (TEPs), there is little consensus about how to evaluate them. This study investigates the potential for using observational ratings of program completers to evaluate TEPs. Drawing on statewide data on almost 9,500 program completers, representing 44 providers (183 programs) in Tennessee across 3 years, we investigate multiple models to estimate TEP quality. Results suggest that using observational ratings to evaluate TEPs has promise. We were able to detect significant and meaningful differences between TEPs, which were fairly robust across modeling approaches. Moreover, TEP rankings based on observational ratings were positively and significantly related to rankings based on student achievement gains.
Developing Cultural Competence through the Introduction of Medical Spanish into the Veterinary Curriculum
Authors: Tayce Jordan D. , Burnham Suzanne , Mays Glennon , Robles Juan Carlos , Brightsmith Donald J. , Fajt Virginia R. , Posey Dan
Published: June 2016

The AAVMC has prioritized diversity as one of its core values. Its DiVersity Matters initiative is helping veterinary medicine prepare for the changing demographics of the United States. One example of the changing demographics is the growing Hispanic population. In 2013, the Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences responded to the needs of this growing sector by introducing medical Spanish into the core curriculum for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) students. The medical Spanish course takes place over 5 weeks during the second year of the curriculum, and is composed of lectures and group learning. While this may seem like a very compressed time frame for language learning, our goal is to provide students with basic medical vocabulary and a limited number of useful phrases. In this paper, we outline the implementation of a medical Spanish course in our curriculum, including our pedagogical approaches to the curricular design of the course, and an explanation of how we executed these approaches. We also discuss the successes and challenges that we have encountered, as well as our future plans for the course. We hope that the successes and challenges that we have encountered can serve as a model for others who plan to introduce a foreign language into their curriculum as a component of cultural competency.
Getting Kids off the Street: Chicago Motor Club’s Play Yard Contest for Cook County, Illinois, and the Use of the Street
Authors: Dock Stephanie
Published: June 2016

For 17 of the years between 1934 and 1958, the Chicago Motor Club ran a summer contest for parents and the community to create play spaces for children in backyards and vacant lots in Chicago and Cook County, Illinois. This contest provides a glimpse into two overlapping trends in cities of that era: the rise of the automobile and changing theories on the provision of play space in cities. For the Chicago Motor Club, the stated objective was to address the alarming numbers of child injuries and fatalities caused by children playing in the street. But underlying the contest was an evolving relationship between roadway users and between both private and public play space in the city and determination of responsibility for providing this space. This paper examines this relationship to explain the origins and context of the Chicago Motor Club’s play yard contest and its role in a collective response to midcentury urban health, safety, and transportation.
Process for Developing Asynchronous Online Training for Transportation Agency Professionals: Case Study
Authors: Mitchell Joshua A. , Bausman Dennis C. , Islam Sababa , Chowdhury Mashrur
Published: June 2016

Efficient training is an essential component of work force development for transportation agencies. The South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) recognized one such training need in its management of contracts for professional services consultants. This recognition led to a research effort to identify standardized procedures in the procurement and administration of these contracts, resulting in the development of a training manual and daylong pilot training session. Although the session received positive feedback, it limited the time and location for delivery. This traditional, in-class method is no longer the only available option. Asynchronous online training presents agencies with the option of providing training to employees regardless of their spatial or schedule variabilities while minimizing the need for instructor effort and availability. In light of this change, the South Carolina DOT commissioned a subsequent research effort to study best practices for development, delivery, and assessment of online training and to use these findings to create training modules of the previously completed manual and training session. The focus of this paper is to present the process for developing asynchronous online training employed for the 10 modules, which total roughly 5 h. Although this process is based on best practices, they are not discussed at length; rather, references to findings are made where they pertain. The process, unique lessons learned, and advisable practices are discussed. The paper’s presentation of the online development process can be applied to other transportation agencies intending to implement asynchronous online training for professional development.
Evaluation of a Development Program for Transportation Engineers
Authors: Selman Kelly , Khwaja Nabeel , Machemehl Randy B. , Motamed Moggan , LaVaye Clair
Published: June 2016

A shortage of trained, prepared transportation engineers for leadership positions is growing in state departments of transportation (DOTs). This shortage is influenced by four factors. First, insufficient numbers of engineering graduates choose work at DOTs. Second, those who do choose DOT jobs enter with deficits in transportation-related engineering knowledge. Third, the DOTs have difficulty retaining the new engineers. Finally, increasing levels of experienced staff are retiring, adding to the expertise and leadership deficit. DOTs are reaching out to students at college and high school levels to encourage careers in transportation engineering; this outreach includes diversity programs and summer internships. Some DOTs work with colleges through cooperative research programs. To maintain engineering staff expertise, those agencies are increasingly providing young unlicensed engineers with in-house training that can include mentoring, functional area rotations, instructional training, and support for staff preparing to take the professional engineer exam. This study examines the steps that DOTs are taking nationally to train unlicensed engineers and focuses on a training program at the Dallas District of the Texas DOT. The research team performed a literature review and collected data about DOT training programs. Two surveys were conducted to compare programs at various DOTs and to assess the effectiveness of the training program from the Texas DOT Dallas District in improving staff performance (e.g., increase staff attainment of professional engineer licenses, rapid promotion within the agency, leadership, improved retention rates). Survey feedback, including recommendations for improving existing training programs, was analyzed. Training programs appear to improve both retention and expertise and are positive investments.
Millennials in the Transportation Workforce
Authors: Gallagher Susan , Villwock-Witte Natalie
Published: June 2016

Generational differences in the United States are of increasing concern to human resource professionals as they prepare to manage the rapid demographic shifts expected in the transportation workforce. As baby boomers retire and millennials increase their share of the workforce, transportation agencies are seeking better understanding of the workplace attributes that will be most successful in attracting and retaining millennials. This paper contextualizes challenges faced by state departments of transportation within the current research literature on generational differences to identify mutual concerns in addition to successful strategies that state agencies can employ to attract and retain young staff. A literature review was conducted in conjunction with focus group discussions. Six staff from human resource departments representing five state departments of transportation (Alaska, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin) participated. The study found that state departments of transportation offer many attributes attractive to the younger generation: job security, opportunities for personal and professional development, flexible schedules, and vacation and work expectations that allow for work–life balance. Shared issues of concern included the use of technology and social media, mentorship capacity, attrition, and public image. The authors identified a number of opportunities for collaboration among state departments of transportation to share information and leverage resources to meet collective challenges.
Text Mining and Topic Modeling of Compendiums of Papers from Transportation Research Board Annual Meetings
Authors: Das Subasish , Sun Xiaoduan , Dutta Anandi
Published: June 2016

The collective knowledge system has been advancing rapidly in the recent past. The digitalization of information in many online media—such as blogs, social media, articles, webpages, images, audios, and videos—provides an unprecedented opportunity for the extraction and identification of a knowledge trend. Prominent journal and conference proceedings usually contain extensive amounts of textual data that can be used to examine the research trends for various topics of interest and to understand how this research has helped in the advancement of a subject such as transportation engineering. The exploration of the unstructured contents in journal or conference papers requires sophisticated algorithms for knowledge extraction. This paper presents text mining techniques to analyze compendiums of papers published from TRB annual meetings, the largest and most comprehensive transportation conferences in the world. Topic models are algorithms designed to discover hidden thematic structure from massive collections of unstructured documents. This study used a popular topic model, latent Dirichlet allocation, to reveal research trends and interesting histories of the development of research by analyzing 15,357 compendiums of papers from 7 years (2008 to 2014) of TRB annual meetings.
Dense Projection Tomography on the Triangular Tiling
Authors: Nagy Benedek , Lukić Tibor
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we consider the binary tomography reconstruction problem. A new approach is proposed what exploits a possibility provided by the natural structure of the triangular grid, which is not available in the case of the classical square grid. In contrast to the square grid, in the case of the triangular grid information need for the reconstruction of the unknown image is increasing when not only one, but two projections are used by lanes. In this way, the number of Δ and ∇ shaped pixels per lane can be determined. We propose this type of projection approach and call it dense projections. The reconstruction is based on three projection directions by the lane directions of the grid (they are analogous to row and column directions on the square grid). Our algorithm is deterministic and uses energy minimization technique to find (near) optimal solution in a reasonable time. The experimental evaluation of the new method, using regular hexagon shaped test images, is given. Comparison with reconstructions based on the square grid is also considered.
Small Generating Sets and DLPC Problem
Authors: Pomykała Jacek
Published: June 2016

In the paper we investigate the set of odd, squarefree positive integers n that can be factored completely in polynomial time O(log6+ ɛ n), given the prime decomposition of orders ord n b for b ≤ log η n, ( η > 2), which is closely related to DLPC problem. We prove that the number of n ≤ x that may not be factored in deterministic time O(log6+ ɛ n), is at most ( η − 2)−1 x(log x)− c( η−2), for some c > 0 and arbitrary ɛ > 0.
A New Graph Theoretic Approach for Protein Threading
Authors: Song Yinglei , Qu Junfeng , Xu Ying , Cai Liming
Published: June 2016

In this paper, we develop a novel graph theoretic approach for protein threading. In order to perform the protein sequence-structure alignment in threading both efficiently and accurately, we develop a graph model to describe the tertiary structure of a protein family and the alignment between a sequence and a family can be efficiently computed with a dynamic programming algorithm when the tree width of the graph model is a small integer. Our experiments show that this new approach is significantly faster than existing tools for threading and can achieve comparable prediction accuracy.
Quaternion Exponent Moments and Their Invariants for Color Image
Authors: Yang Hong-ying , Liang Lin-lin , Li Yong-wei , Wang Xiang-yang
Published: June 2016

Moments and moment invariants have become a powerful tool in image processing owing to their image description capability and invariance property. But, conventional methods are mainly introduced to deal with the binary or gray-scale images, and the only approaches for color image always have poor color image description capability. Based on Exponent moments (EMs) and quaternion, we introduced the quaternion Exponent moments (QEMs) for describing color images in this paper, which can be seen as the generalization of EMs for gray-level images. It is shown that the QEMs can be obtained from the EMs of each color channel. We derived and analyzed the rotation, scaling, and translation (RST) invariant property of QEMs. We also discussed the problem of color image retrieval using QEMs. Experimental results are provided to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed color image descriptors.
Transformations and Soliton Solutions for a Variable-coefficient Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation in the Dispersion Decreasing Fiber with Symbolic Computation
Authors: Zeng Zhi-Fang , Liu Jian-Guo , Jiang Yan , Nie Bin
Published: June 2016

Describing the dispersion decreasing fiber, a variable-coefficient nonlinear Schrödinger equation is hereby under investigation. Three transformations have been obtained from such a equation to the known standard and cylindrical nonlinear Schrödinger equations with the relevant constraints on the variable coefficients presented, which turn out to be more general than those previously published in the literature. Meanwhile, several families of exact dark-soliton-like and bright-soliton-like solutions are constructed. Also, we obtain some similarity solutions, which can be illustrated in terms of the elliptic and the second Painlevé transcendent equations.
Pre-exercise LED phototherapy (638 nm) prevents grip strength loss in elderly women: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Matos Areolino Pena , Navarro Ricardo Scarparo , Lombardi Jr. Império , Brugnera Jr. Aldo , Munin Egberto , Villaverde Antonio Balbin
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND:

LED phototherapy can attenuate muscle fatigue and accelerate muscle recovery in young persons, but little is known about photobiomodulation effects on muscle strength in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effects of LED phototherapy on the grip strength and muscle fatigue of wrist flexors in elderly women.

METHODS:

Twenty-nine women were recruited and allocated to Placebo Group(PG) (n= 14) and LED Group (LG) (n= 15). Grip strength, number of resisted wrist flexion repetitions, and serum creatine kinase (CK) were measured. The subjects were irradiated with one diode (638 nm, 150 mW, 11.7 J/cm2, 4.5 J/point) at four points on the wrist flexor muscles, and fatigue was induced by exercise using 75% of one maximum repetition (1MR). When muscle fatigue was reached, grip strength and CK were reassessed.

RESULTS:

In the LG, there was no intra-group difference for grip strength(N), 217.7 ± 34.3 to 209.9 ± 35.3 (p = 0.063) whereas in the PG, there was decrease in strength from 203.0 ± 22.5 to 181.4 ± 21.6(p < 0.001). LED increased the number of repetitions by 22.0%. An increase in CK (U/L) was observed in PG in all post-fatigue periods (p = 0.003) but no difference was found in the LG (p = 0.972).

CONCLUSIONS:

A single application of LED before muscle fatigue induction may effectively maintain grip strength and reduce muscle fatigue and damage.
Electromyographic analysis of gluteus medius subdivisions during hip abductor strengthening exercises
Authors: Ju Sung-Kwang , Yoo Won-Gyu
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND:

The gluteus medius (GM) which functions mainly in weight-bearing to stabilize the pelvis in a unilateral stance against gravity has been described as having several anatomic subdivisions.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to compare the activation of the three GM subdivisions (anterior, medial, and posterior) during four weight bearing exercises.

METHODS:

This study investigated GM activation in 15 healthy adult males during four weight-bearing exercises; hip fire hydrant, standing forward bent-horizontal hip abduction (SFB-HHA), wall press and pelvic drop. Muscle activations in the three GM subdivisions were measured using electromyography (EMG) and compared using a repeated one-way ANOVA.

RESULTS:

All GM subdivisions showed higher activation during high position exercises (pelvic drop, SFB-HHA, wall press exercise) than during the low position exercise (hip fire hydrant). The anterior subdivision showed higher activity during pelvic drop exercise than during SFB-HHA and wall press exercises. Higher posterior subdivision activity was observed during SFB-HHA compared to wall press and pelvic drop exercises, posterior subdivision activity was higher during wall press compared to pelvic drop.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results suggest that pelvic drop is the appropriate exercise to activate the anterior subdivision of the GM, whereas SFB-HHA is the best exercise to activate the posterior subdivision.
Upper extremity strength and motor speed in children with visual impairment following a 16-week yoga training program
Authors: Mohanty Soubhagyalaxmi , Pradhan Balaram , Hankey Alex
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND:

Yoga's benefits on various aspects of health for sighted children is substantially supported by the literature. This study aimed to extend those fidings to children with visual impairment.

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of the study was to measure changes in upper extremity strength and motor speed in children with visual impairment following 16-weeks of yoga training.

METHODS:

This was a two arm pre post, single blind, waitlist-controlled study. Eighty-three (yoga [n= 41], control [n= 42]) participants (aged 9-16 years) enrolled, 6 dropped out from the trial. Demographic characteristics were not significantly different between the two groups. The following variables: upper extremity muscle strength; elbow flexion and elbow extension, pinch strength and motor speed were evaluated bilaterally using a handheld dynamometer, pinch dynamometer and finger tapping board respectively at baseline and after the 16-week intervention. SPSS-20 was used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS:

Significant improvements in all variables (P < 0.05) were observed in the yoga group for both limbs but no significant changes were observed in the control group.

CONCLUSION:

The study suggests that yoga may be considered an effective option to improve muscle strength and motor function in children with visual impairment.
Optimal load for maximizing upper-body power: Test-retest reproducibility
Authors: García-Ramos Amador , Haff G. Gregory , Padial Paulino , Feriche Belén
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND:

The load that maximizes power output, commonly called ``optimal load'', has received wide attention for training and testing purposes.

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the reproducibility in the determination of the load that maximizes mean power (MP), mean propulsive power (MPP), and peak power (PP) during the bench press (BP) and bench press throw (BPT) exercises.

METHODS:

Twenty-two men conducted 4 evaluations after a preliminary BP 1-repetition maximum (1RM) determination. In a counterbalanced order, subjects performed 2 sessions of BP in one week and 2 sessions of BPT in another week. MP, MPP, and PP at each tenth percentile (20-70% of 1RM) were recorded on each testing day. Two procedures were used to determine the individual optimal load: (1) Absolute: individual load with the highest power output;(2) Predicted: obtained from the parabolic load-power relationship.

RESULTS:

While acceptable reproducibility was found for MP in both exercises and procedures (ICC: 0.85-0.96; CV: 2.7%-12.2%), low reproducibility was obtained for MPP (ICC: -0.20-0.60; CV: 21.1%-29.3%), and PP (ICC: 0.42-0.78; CV: 17.8%-20.9%).

CONCLUSIONS:

The low reproducibility associated with the determination of the optimal load suggests that it may be unnecessary to look for a single optimal load for training.
Stroke volume responses may be related to the gap between peak and maximal O2 consumption
Authors: Colakoglu Muzaffer , Ozkaya Ozgur , Balci Gorkem Aybars , Yapicioglu Bulent
Published: June 2016

BACKGROUND:

Although several studies have focused on maximal O2 uptake ([Formula: see text] O2max) measured by a verification phase following the determination of peak O2 uptake ([Formula: see text] O2peak) by a graded exercise test, an explanation for the underlying mechanisms of the difference between[Formula: see text] O2peak and confirmed [Formula: see text] O2max is scant.

OBJECTIVE:

To explore the hypothesis that when the difference between [Formula: see text] O2peak and [Formula: see text] O2max(Δ[Formula: see text] O2) increases, the gap between peak stroke volume (SVpeak) and SV level corresponding to [Formula: see text] O2peak velocities (Δ SV) grows.

METHODS:

Nine moderately to well-trained male athletes([Formula: see text] O2max: 60.2 ± 7 mL ⋅ min-1 ⋅ kg-1) volunteered to take part in the study. Following familiarization session, volunteers were asked to perform submaximal and maximal graded exercise tests. Then, constant-loading SVpeak tests (using wattages in a range from 40-100% of [Formula: see text] O2peak) and verification phase (using wattages corresponding with 100-110% of [Formula: see text] O2peak) were conducted in a climatic chamber.

RESULTS:

The Δ[Formula: see text] O2 was well correlated withΔ SV (Pearson r= 0.89; p≤ 0.001). The mean SVpeak of participants corresponded to 60.3 ± 18% of [Formula: see text] O2peak.[Formula: see text] O2max was significantly greater (11.2%) than [Formula: see text] O2peak (60.2 ± 7 vs. 54.2 ± 8.1 mL ⋅ min-1 ⋅ kg-1) (p ≤ 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS:

[Formula: see text] O2peak and [Formula: see text] O2max differences may be related to the gap between SVpeak and SV at [Formula: see text] O2peak.