A randomised, controlled, double blind, non-inferiority trial of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block vs. spinal morphine for analgesia after primary hip arthroplasty

We performed a single centre, double blind, randomised, controlled, non-inferiority study comparing ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block with spinal morphine for the primary outcome of 24-h postoperative morphine consumption in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty under spinal anaesthesia with levobupivacaine. One hundred and eight patients were randomly allocated to receive either ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block with 2 mg.kg−1 levobupivacaine (fascia iliaca group) or spinal morphine 100 μg plus a sham ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block using saline (spinal morphine group). The pre-defined non-inferiority margin was a median difference between the groups of 10 mg in cumulative intravenous morphine use in the first 24 h postoperatively. Patients in the fascia iliaca group received 25 mg more intravenous morphine than patients in the spinal morphine group (95% CI 9.0–30.5 mg, p < 0.001). Ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca block was significantly worse than spinal morphine in the provision of analgesia in the first 24 h after total hip arthroplasty. No increase in side-effects was noted in the spinal morphine group but the study was not powered to investigate all secondary outcomes

Multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain during treadmill and overground running

Although physiologically beneficial, running is known to be associated with a high incidence of chronic injuries. Excessive coronal and transverse plane motions of the foot segments and strain experienced by the plantar fascia are linked to the development of a number of chronic injuries. This study examined differences in multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain during treadmill and overground running. Twelve male recreational runners ran at 4.0 m.s-1 in both treadmill and overground conditions. Multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system and contrasted using paired samples t-tests. The results showed that plantar fascia strain was significantly greater in the overground condition (8.23 ± 2.77) compared to the treadmill (5.53 ± 2.25). Given the proposed relationship between excessive plantar fascia strain and the etiology of injury, overground running may be associated with a higher incidence of injury although further work is necessary before causation can be confirmed

working paper series

Interest in business management thinking and innovation has continued to grow during recent decades. The Scottish Government identifies that a large proportion of new and start up businesses fail within the first 2 years. Consequently, there are many areas for the start-up entrepreneur to get information and help, nonetheless the trend remains. This study offers an alternative method for deciding on intrinsic success factors by outlining the relationship between business start-ups, creativity, and innovation. The focus was on creativity, as an entrepreneurial characteristic, links or effects the start-up capability of the entrepreneur. The study used a qualitative method to interpret this complexity and this became more apparent as the study progresses since innovation and innovation which supports a business start-up assume holistic, flux-like and complex concepts. Four main themes emerged from the thematic data analysis; Leadership; Ability to Change; Creativeness and Collaboration. Findings from the study indicate that business management thinking and innovation underpinned by perspective themes, help the entrepreneur see and appreciate the complex multi-faceted interactions of innovation, perhaps better than an average person. However, actual definition of the precise mechanisms needed to support business start-ups drawn from creativity were difficult to establish. In conclusion, the study has to say that while elements of creativity were present with each of the entrepreneur and were clearly significant to the success of the start up, it would seem very difficult to actually identify if there is such a thing as a guaranteed creativity template for succes

Attributes of Knowledge a transfer scenario

The inference of causal ambiguity of the knowledge itself is of primary importance, since the inability to map relationships between a capability and a performance outcome is widely regarded as a commonality, thus, is a direct effect from successful or unsuccessful knowledge transfer. Contemporary literature identifies a perspective definition of what role these relationship concepts play in human cognitive understanding of knowledge and any underpinning relationship characteristics, only that they may exist to interfere with the transfer of knowledge at some obscure point. Most literature assumes this myopic biased view regarding actors interaction surrounding knowledge interpretation, as a consequence, performance differences between groups or businesses are often examined by simply using prescriptive asymmetries linked to knowledge transfer success, but without definition of success. With this view in mind, we will therefore examine various literature perspectives in which both business success and competitive advantage are linked to knowledge transfer

FIGURATIONAL DYNAMICS: Attributes within a Knowledge transfer scenario.

In this short paper, we discuss a dialectic methodology surrounding the interpretation of knowledge transfer, and the conditional elements which can be seen to support the concept of a unity of knowledge. We discuss a differing standpoint to knowledge and knowledge value, based on the knowledge transfer practitioner’s perspective, but still in a business context. We ask why, if knowledge is vital for business success and competitive advantage, the transfer of knowledge is rarely a simple unproblematic event. Further, that the creation of knowledge before transfer is recognised as a significant factor in determining a starting point for analogous scrutiny, and often under a premise of doxastic attitude. This discussion therefore aims to synthesise current literature and research into an elemental epistemic principal of FIGURATION DYNAMICS, and in doing so, may help focus congruent knowledge transfer theories

Gender differences in multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain during running

This study aimed to determine whether there are gender differences in multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain during running. Fifteen male and fifteen female participants ran at 4.0- m.s-1. Multi-segment foot kinematics and plantar fascia strain were quantified using a motion capture system and compared between genders using independent samples t-tests. The results showed that plantar fascia strain was significantly greater in males (0.09 ± 0.04) compared to females (0.06 ± 0.03). Furthermore male runners (-9.72 ± 3.09) were also associated with a significantly larger peak calcaneal eversion angle compared to females (-6.03 ± 2.33). Given the proposed relationship between high levels of plantar fascia strain as well as excessive coronal plane rotations of the foot segments and the etiology of injury, it is likely that the potential risk of the developing running injuries in relation to these mechanisms is higher in males

Suspensory materials for surgery of blepharoptosis: a systematic review of observational studies

Background Frontalis suspension surgery is considered the procedure of choice in cases of blepharoptosis. Among all the materials used in this type of surgery, ophthalmic and plastic surgeons prefer to use autologous Fascia Lata. However, during years, other autogenous and exogenous materials have been introduced. Objectives The aim of this study was therefore that of systematically reviewing the functional results and the rate of complications of different synthetic materials, as compared to autogenous Fascia Lata. The primary objective was to determine the rates of Successful Surgeries (SSs) of these materials. The secondary objective was to assess the onset of complications. The following materials were investigated: Fascia Lata, Mersilene, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and Silicon. Data Source and Methods Following the Prisma procedure, on January 30th, 2016 we used the following electronic databases to select the studies: MEDLINE and Scopus. Results The search strategy retrieved 48 publications that met the eligibility criteria of the systematic review. All studies were non-comparative. PTFE (n = 5) showed the best rate of SSs among the materials compared (statistically significant). Surgeries performed with autogenous Fascia Lata (n = 19) had a 87% rate of success those performed with Mersilene (n = 12)had 92% and those performed with Silicon (n = 17)88%. PTFE had the best outcome, with 99% success rate. As for complications, surgeries performed with PTFE had a higher rate of suture infections (1.9%) as compared to Fascia Lata, but lower incidence for all other complications. Conclusions Although most studies were good quality cohort studies, the overall quality of this evidence should be regarded as low due to their non-comparative design. Our data suggest that PTFE seems to be the most valid alternative material for frontalis suspension surgery, with low recurrence rates and good cosmetic and functional results

Creativity as a Competitive Entrepreneurial Enabler

Interest in business management thinking and innovation has continued to grow during recent decades. The Scottish Government identifies that a large proportion of new and start up businesses fail within the first 2 years. Consequently, there are many areas for the start-up entrepreneur to get information and help, nonetheless the trend remains. This study offers an alternative method for deciding on intrinsic success factors by outlining the relationship between business start-ups, creativity, and innovation. The focus was on creativity, as an entrepreneurial characteristic, links or effects the start-upcapability of the entrepreneur.The study used a qualitative method to interpret this complexity and this became more apparent as the study progresses since innovation and innovation which supports a business start-up assume holistic, flux-like and complex concepts. Four main themes emerged from the thematic data analysis; Leadership; Ability to Change; Creativeness and Collaboration. Findings from the study indicate that business management thinking and innovation underpinned by perspective themes, help the entrepreneur see and appreciate the complex multi-faceted interactions of innovation, perhaps better than an average person. However, actual definition of the precise mechanisms needed to support business start-ups drawn from creativity were difficult to establish.In conclusion, the study has to say that while elements of creativity were present with each of the entrepreneur and were clearly significant to the success of the start up, it would seem very difficult to actually identify if there is such a thing as a guaranteed creativity template for success

Design Of Polymeric Based Composite Automotive Bumper Fascia

An automobile bumper fascia is a non-structural component, which contributes to vehicle crashworthiness during front or rear collisions. In the past, the fascia was made of plastic material. The weight reduction in bumper fascia without sacrificing the safety of the car passenger was extensively studied. In this research, the bumper fascia made of polymeric based composite material is designed in solid modelling software. The polymeric based composite material was selected because it can offer low weight, high specific stiffness, high specific strength, high-energy absorption and easy to produce complex shapes. Four conceptual designs of bumper fascia were developed in 3-D solid model. To decide the final design of bumper fascia the matrix evaluation method was used. The weight of bumper fascia was obtained through weight analysis that has been developed by using Pro/Engineer software. The fascia was successfully designed with less weight compared to the current fascia

Myofascial Release

Fascia represents an intricate system of connective tissue that permeates throughout the human body. Its matrix of continuous fibers support, protect, divide and suspend both superficial and deep anatomical structures. While once thought to be a passive mesh network, new evidence suggests fascia is much more complicated. Now recognized as an active physiological component of the human body, myofascial health and function has been given much attention clinically. Of the techniques aimed to treat and restore fascial structure and function, myofascial release has been found to promote stability, increase range of motion and most importantly alleviate musculoskeletal pain. This form of soft tissue therapy deserves more academic and clinical attention for its positive effects on the fascial health